* 


THE  LIBRARY 

OF 

THE  UNIVERSITY 
OF  CALIFORNIA 


PRESENTED  BY 

PROF. CHARLES  A.  KOFOID  AND 
MRS.  PRUDENCE  W.  KOFOID 


OFFICIAL   LETTERS 

TO    THE     HONORABLE 

AMERICAN    CONGRESS, 

Written,  during  the  WAR  between  the 

UNITED  COLONIES  AND  GREAT-BRITAIN, 

JBY    HIS    EXCELLENCY 

GEORGE    WASHINGTON, 

COMMANDER  IN  CIJIEF  OF  THE  CONTINENTAL  FORCES, 

NOW 

PRESIDENT  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES. 


Copied,  by  Special  Permiffion,  from  the  Original  Fap^\s  preserved  in  the 
^Office  of  the  Secretary  of  State,  PhiladelpXja. 


r*.  NEIV-TORK: 

PRINTED  AND  SOLD  BY  SAMUEL  CAMPBELL 

No.  124,  PEARL-STREET. 

M,DCC,XCVI, 


V 

) 


ADVERTISEMENT, 


"A  ESPECTING  the  fource  from  which  the  following  letters  have  been 
JLx.  drawn,  and  the  grounds  on  which  the  reader  is  expected  to  reft  his  be- 
lief of  their  authenticity,  it  may  be  fufficient  to  inform  him  (and,  for  the  truth 
ex  the  aflertion,  to  appeal  to  His  Excellency,  Thomas  Pinckney,  the  Ameri- 
can jMinifter  Plenipotentiary)  that  perrniffion  was  obtained  from  the  proper 
authority,  to  tranfcribe,  from  the  original  papers  preferred  in  the  Secretary 
of  State's  ofnce  in  Philadelphia,  thefe  and  fundry  other  authentic  documents 
relating  to  the  conteft  between  the  colonies  and  the  mother  country,  via. 
Letters  from  the  Commanders  of  the  continental  forces,  and  other  peribns  erju 
ployed  in  the  pubilc  fervice, — intercepted  Lettei's  from  Britifh  Officers  and  o- 
ther  adherents  to  the  royal  cauie, — Communications  from  the  Governors,  Con- 
ventions, and  Committees  of  the  feveral  American  States, — Dispatches  from 
Agents  and  Commiffioners, — Inftrudlions, — Reports  of  Committees  of  Congreis, 
— parts  of  the  Secret  Journals  hitherto  unpublifbed, — and  various  other  pie- 
ces elucidative  of  the  events  which  led  to  and  finally  eftabliuV d  American  In- 
dependence. 

That  permifiion  was  granted  early  in  the  year  17552,  and  immediate  advan- 
tage was  taken  of  the  indulgence  ;  though,  from  various  circumftances,  of 
little  confequence  to  the  reader  to  know,  the  publication  has  been  fo  long  de- 
layed. Even  at  this  late  period,  the  editor  contents  himfelf  with  laying  be- 
fore the  public  but  a  part  of  the  collection, — intending,  if  thefe  volumes  meet 
with  a  favourable  reception,  to  continue  the  publication^  and  prefent  his 
readers  with  a  variety  of  interefting  pieces  penned  by  the  leaders  and  piin- 
cipal  agents  in  the  American  Revolution,  and  tending  to  throw  light  on 
many  important  transactions  that  have  hitherto  been  either  enveloped  in 
total  darknefs,  or,  at  belt,  but  obfcurely  perceived;  and  imperfectly  under- 
ftood. 

Some  paris  of  thefe  letters  may  perhaps  appear  too  full  of  minutiae  to  inter- 
eft  that  clafs  of  readers,  who,  unaccuftomed  to  enter  into  the  inveftigation 
of  caufes  or  conlequences,  delight  only  in  recitals  of  battles,  fieges,  and  other 
itrikin^  occurrences  which  conilitute  the  more  prom it&\ features  of  hifto- 
rv.  But,  to  the  reafonifig  phiiofophic  reader,  who  wifhes  tVexplore  the  fe- 
cret  fprings  of  adlion, — to  trace  events  to  their  remote  and  lajent  caufes, — to 
difcover  and  examine  the  fubordinate  and  collateral  circur>'itances  (oft  tri- 
appearance, and  generally  overlooked  by  the  vfej^Kjdye)  which,  m 

one  or  the  o- 
unaccepta- 
:h  alone  he 

can  venture  to  ground  a  decTiivT ''opinion^ auJh^jhich  he  might  elfewhere  feek 
i-i  vain.  ^^^ 

The  inclofures.  frequently  referred  to  in  thefe  vOKtthes,  would  ftill  further 
contribute  to  fet  every  circumfcance  in  a  clearer  and  ilronger  Light ;  and  it 
was  the  editor's  original  intention  that  they  mould  have  accompanied  the 
letters  to  which  they  refpedively  belong.  Obftacles  however,  at  prefent  in- 
furmountable,  (land  in  the  way  of  their  immediate  publication :  but,  when 
thefe  are  removed,  the  papers  alluded  to  (hall  make  their  appearance  in  form 
of  an  Appendix, — fuch  parts  of  them  at  leaft,  as  are  of  a  curi'\us  and  mtereil- 
ing  nature. 

A  a  Mean, 


mn_uv<ri  auu.  CA.CUUUIC  me  iuuuiu.iua.Lc  a.iiu  collateral  circuT«iianc 
fling  in  appearance,  and  generally  overlooked  by  the  \V*«cFf  eye) 
the  ftruggles  of  contending  nations,  give  a  prepondcrancy  $  the  on 
ther  fcale, — thofe  minute  details  will,  it  is  prefumed,  be«ar  from  i 
bie,  as  furaifliing  him  with  tb^t-feecies  of  information,  upon  wnic 


/I  -i  A 


ADVERTISEMENT. 

Meanwhile  the  reader  will  obferve  that  it  was  deemed  as  yet  premature  to 
pu^lifli  certain  paffages  of  thefe  letters :  fome  omiffions  have  of  courfe  taken 
place,  which  are  every  where  pointed  out  by  afterifks,  and  which  will  be 
fupplied  at  a  proper  feafon,  probably  not  far  diftant. — On  the  other  hand,  in 
perrups  half  a  do^en  inftances,  a  fingle  word  has  been  hazarded  on  conjec- 
ture, to  fill  up  a  chafm,  where  either  the  original  or  the  copy  happened  to  be 
torn  or  defaced ;  in  which  cafes,  the  fupplemental  words  are  inclofed  within 
crotchets  and  printed  in  Italic. — A  few  entire  letters,  moreover,  as  appears 
by  reference  made  to  them  in  fubfequent  ones,  are  here  wanted  to  complete 
the  cha»-i  of  correspondence.  Thefe  the  editor  can  give  no  account  of,  as  the 
originals  appear  to  have  been  loft  from  the  files  of  office. 

About  a  dozen  letters,  written  by  the  general's  fecrelary*,  are  here  infert- 
ed ; — a  few  from  the  general  himfelf  to  the  board  of  war,  or  com  mine  of  Con- 
greis, — one  to  the  prelident  of  the  New-York  Convention,  and  one  to  R.  Mor- 
ris, efquire,  in  the  department  of  finance.  Thefe  it  was  thought  proper  to  o-, 
xnit :  nor  did  it  feem  worth  while,  on  account  of  a  few  exceptions,  to  make  a, 
uy  alteration  in  the  general  title  of  the  book. 


Mr.  JC.  //.  Harrifon. 


O  F  F  I. 


OFFICIAL  LETTERS, 


FROM  '  * 

GENERAL    WASHINGTON 
TO    CONGRESS. 


To  the  Honorable  Members  of  the  Continental  Cougrefs  («£ 
Philadelphia. 

GENTLEMEN,  New-York  June  24,   1775. 

Tig 
HE    rain  on  fnday  afternoon  and   faturday,-— -the  advice 

of  ieveral  gentlemen  of  the  Jerfeys  and  this  city,  by  no  means 
to  crofs  Hudfon's  river  at  the  lower  ferry — and  forne  other  cir- 
cumitances,  too  trivial  to  mention,  prevented  my  arrival  at  this 
place,  until  the  afternoon  of  this  day. 

In  the  morning,  after  giving  general  ScJ^ylcr  fuch  orders, 
as,  from  the  refu.lt  of  my  enquiry  into  matters ^kere,  appear  ne- 
-ceffary,  I  (hall  fet  out  on  my  journey  to  the  c?,.np  at  Boston, 
and  {hall  proceed  with  all  the  difpatch  Hi^my  grower.  Powder 
is  fo  effential  an  article,  that  I  cannot  help  again  repeating  the 
neceflity  of  a  fupply.  The  camp  at  Bofton,  from  the  belt  ac- 
count I  can*get  from^^^scjgujyj^ut  very  poorly  fupplied.  At 
this  place,  they  have  icarce  any.  ^Kow  they  are  provided  at 
general  Woofter's  camp,  I  have  not  been-* able  yet  to  learn. 

Governor  Tryon  is  arrived,  and  general  Schuyler  directed 
to  advife  you  of  the  line  of  conduct  he  moves  in.  I  fear  it  will 
not  be  very  favourable  to  the  American  caufe. 

I  have  only  to  add,  that  I  am,  with  great  refpecl:  and  regard, 
gentlemen,  your  mod  obedient  and  obliged  humble  fervant. 

G.  WASHINGTON. 
To 


6  GENERAL  WASHINGTON'S 

To  JOHN  HANCOCK,  Efquire,  Prejldent  of  Congrefs. 

New-York,  funday,  ifyh  June,  1775,  5  o'clock,  P.  M. 
SIR, 

UPON  my  arrival  here  this  afternoon,  I  was  informed 
that  an  exprefs  was  in  town,  from  the  provincial  camp  in  Maf- 
fachufetts-Bay  j  and  having  feen,  among  the  papers  in  his  pof- 
ieilion,  a  letter  directed  to  you  as  prefident  of  the  Congrefs,  I 
have  taken  the  liberty  to  open  it.  I  was  induced  to  take  that 
liberty,  by  feveral  gentlemen  of  New-York  who  were  anxious 
to  know  the  particulars  of  the  affair  of  the  ieventeentb.  iflftant, 
and  agreeable  to  the  orders  of  many  members  of  the  Congrefs, 
who  judged  it  neceiTary  that  I  fhould  avail  myfelf  of  the  beft 
information  in  the  courfe  of  my  journev. 

You  will  find  fir,  by  that  letter,  a  great  want  of  powder  in  the 
provincial  army,  which  I  fineerely  hope  the  Congrefs  will  fup- 
ply  as  fpeedily  and  as  effectually  as  in  their  power.  One  thou- 
fand  pounds  in  weight  were  lent  to  the  camp  at  Cambridge, 
three  days  ago,  from  this  city  ;  which  has  left  this  place  almoft 
dettitute  of  that  necefiary  article  :  there  being  at  this  time  from 
the  bcft  information,  not  more  than  four  barrels  of  powder  in 
the  city  of  New-York. 

I  propofe  to  fet  oft  for  the  provincial  camp  to-morrow,  and 
•will  ufe  all  poffible  difpatch  to  join  the  forces  there. 

Pleafe  to  make  my  compliments  to  the  gentlemen  of  the  Con- 
-.  ;  and  believe  me  to  be,  fir,  your  obliged  friend,  and  hum- 
ble fervant,  G.  W» 
[A1.   B.   jdll  the  fulfequent  letters,    not  otherwife  exprefsly   di- 
rected, are  addrejfed  to  the  Prefident  of  Congrefs  for  the  time 
being.'] 

SJR.,  Camp  fit  Cambridge,   July  IO,    1775. 

I  Arrivecrfafe  at  this  place  on  the  third  inflant,  after  a 
journey  aUendect-TPftii  a  good  deal  of  fatigue,  and  retarded  by 
neceffary  attentions  to  th«j  fuccefliye  civilities  which  accompa- 
nied me  in  my  whole. route. 

Upon  my  arrival,  I  imm£#di."clj~  ^Ti^^T^ie  feveral  ports  oc- 
cupied by  our  troops ;  arrcl^  as  foon  as  the  weather  permitted, 
reconnoitred  tliofe  ot  the  enemy.  I  found,  the  latter  ftrongly 
intrenched  on  Bunker's  hill,  about  a  mile  from  Charleilov;n, 
and  advanced  about  half  a  mile  from  the  place  of  the  late  acti- 
on, with  th'.:ir  CL-ntries  extended  about  one  hundred  and  fifty 
yards  on  this  iidc  of  the  narrower!  purt  of  the  neck  leading 

from 


OFFICIAL  LETTERS*  7 

from  this  place  to  Charleftown.  Three  floating  batteries  lie  in 
Myftick  river  near  their  camp,  and  one  twenty-gun  fhip  below 
the  ferry  place  between  Bofton  and  Charleftown.  7  hey  have 
alfo  a  battery  on  Copfe-hill,  on  the  Bofton  fide,  which  much 
annoyed  our  troops  in  the  late  attack.  Upon  the  neck,  they 
have  alfo  deeply  intrenched  and  fortified.  Their  advanced 
guards,  till  laft  faturday  morning,  occupied  Brown's  houfes,  a- 
bout  a  mile  from  Roxbury  meeting-houfe,  and  twenty  rods 
from  their  lines :  but,  at  that  time,  a  party  from  general  Tho- 
mas's camp  furprifed  the  guard,  drove  them  in,  and  burned  the 
lipufes.  The  bulk  of  their  army,  commanded  by  general 
Howe,  lies  on  Bunker's-hill,  and  the  remainder  on  Roxbury- 
neck,  except  the  light  horfe,  and  a  few  men  in  the  town  of 
Bofton. 

On  our  fide,  we  have  thrown  up  intrenchments  on  Winter 
and  Profpect  hills, — the  enemy's  camp  in  full  view,  at  the  dif- 
tance  of  a  little  more  than  a  mile.  Such  intermediate  points 
as  would  admit  a  landing,  I  have  fince  my  arrival  taken  care 
to  ftrengthen,  down  to  Sewal's  Farm,  where  a  ftrong  intrench- 
ment  has  been  throxvn  up.  At  Roxbury,  general  Thomas  has 
thrown  up  a  ftrong  work  on  the  hill,  about  two  hundred  yards 
above  the  meeting-houfe  j  which,  with  the  brokennefs  of  the 
ground,  and  a  great  number  of  rocks,  has  made  that  pafs  very 
fecure.  The  troops  raifedin  New-Hampfhire,  with  a  regiment 
from  Rhode-Ifland,  occupy  Winter-hill  j  a  part  of  thofe  from 
Connecticut,  under  general  Putnam,  are  on  Profpect-hill.  The 
troops  in  this  town  are  entirely  of  the  Maflfachufetts :  the  re- 
mainder of  the  Rhode-Iiland-men  are  at  Sewal's  Farm.  Two 
regiments  of  Connecticut,  and  nine  of  the  MaiTachufetts,  are  at 
Roxbury.  The  refidue  of  the  army,  to  the  £'\mber  of  about 
feven  hundred,  are  ported  in  feveral  fmall  towns  aj^vpg  the  coaft, 
to  prevent  the  depredations  of  the  enemy. 

Upon  the  whole  I  think  myfelf  authorifed^to  fay,  that,  con- 
fidering  the  great  extent  of  line  and  the  nature  of  the  ground, 
tve  are  as  well  fecured,  as  could  be  expected  in  fo  fhort  a 
time,  and  under  the  dife^an^es^e  labour.  Thefe  confift  in 
z  want  of  engineers  to  construct  propel  works  and  direct  the 
men,  a  want  of  tools,  and  a  fufficient  number  of  men  to  man 
the  works  in  cafe  of  an  attack.  You  will  obferve,  by  the  pro. 
ceedings  of  the  council  of  war  which  I  have  the  honour  to  hi- 
clofe,  that  it  is  our  unanimous  opinion  to  hold  and  defend  thefe 
works  as  long  as  poflible.  The  difcouragernent  it  would  give 
the  men,  and  its  contrary  effects  on  the  minifterial  troops,  thus 
to  abandon  our  encampment  in  their  face,  formed  with  fo  much 

labor, 


8  GENERAL  WASHINGTON* 

labor, — added  to  the  certain  definition  of  a  confiderable  and 
valuable  extent  of  country,  and  our  uncertainty  of  finding  a 
place  in  all  refpecls  fo  capable  of  making  a  Hand, — are  leading 
reafons- for  this  determination.  At  the  fame  time  we  are  very 
lenfible  cf  the  difficulties  which  attend  the  defence  of  linej.  of 
fo  great  extent,  and  the  dangers  which  may  tnfue  from  fuch  a 
tfivifion  of  the  army. 

My  earnell  wifh  to  comply  with  the  instructions  of  the  Con- 
greis,  in  making  an  early  and  complete  return  of  the  Hate  of  the 
aimy,  has  led  into  an  involuntary  delay  of  addi effing  you  ; 
which  has  given  me  much  concern.  Having  given  orders  for 
this  purpofe  immediately  on  my  arrival, — and  unapprifed  of  the 
imperfect  -.  obedience  which  had  been  paid  to  t.hofe  of  the  like 
nature  from  general  Ward,  I  was  led  from  day  to  day  to  expert 
they  would  come  in,  and  therefore  detained  the  meffenger. 
They  are  not  now  fo  complete  as  I  could  with  :  but  much  al- 
lowance is  to  be  made  for  inexperience  in  forms,  and  a  liberty 
which  had  been  taken  (not  given)  on  this  fubjecl.  '1  hefe  rea- 
fons, I  flatter  myfelf  will  no  longer  exift  ;  and,  of  confequence, 
more  regularity  and  exaclnefs  will  in  future  prevail.  This,  with 
a  neceffary  attention  to  the  lines,  the  movements  of  the  minifte- 
rial  troops,  and  our  immediate  fecurity,  muft  be  my  apology, 
which  I  beg  you  to  lay  before  Congrefs  with  the  utmoit  duty 
and  refpect. 

We  labour  under  great  Mifadvantages  for  want  of  tents  : 
for,  though  they  have  been  helped  out  by  a  collection  of  now 
ufelefs  fails  from  the  fea-port  towns,  the  number  is  far  mort  of 
our  neceilities.  The  colleges  and  houfes  of  this  town  are  ne- 
cefTa'rily  occupied  by  the  troops  j  which  affords  another  reafon 
for  keeping  ou^  j>refent  fituation.  But  I  moft  fmcerely  wifh  the 
whole  armyrwas  properly  provided  to  take  the  field,  as  I  am 
well  afifuied,,  that  (^befides  greater  expedition  and  activity  in 
cafe  of  alarm)  it  would  highly  conduce  to  health  and  difcipline. 
As  materials  are*  not  to  be  had  here,  I  would  beg  leave  to  re- 
commend the  procuring  a  farther  fupply  from  Philadelphia,  as 
foon  as  pofTible.  ,.^  ^ 

I  ftiouid  be  extremely -deficient  ingratitude  as  well  as  juftice, 
if  I  did  not  take  th*  firft  opportunity  to  acknowledge  the  readi- 
nefs  and  attention,  which  the  provincial  Congrefs  and  different 
committees  have  fhewn,  to  rnr'ke  every  thing  as  convenient  and 
•:eable  as  poflible.  But  there  is  a  vital  and  inherent  princi- 
ple of  delay,  incompatible  with  military  fervice,  in  tranfacling 
buunefs  through  fuch  numerous  and  different  channels.  I  efteem 
it  therefore  my  duty  to  repicftnt  the  inconvenience  which 

muft 


OFFICIAL    LETTER.  3.  9 

ran  ft  unavoidably-  enfue  from  a  dependence  on  ?.  n Limber  of  per- 
fons  for  fuppliss;  and  fubmit  it  to  the  confideranon  of  Congrefs, 
Whether  the  public  fervice  will  not- be  b.eil  promoted  by  Ep- 
pointing  a  comrniilary-general  for  thefe  ptirpofes.  We  have  a 
tfriking  in  (lance  of  the  preference  of  fuch  a  mode,  in  the  cftab- 
lifliment  of  Connefticut,  as  their  troops  are  extremely  well  pro- 
vided under  the  direction  of  Mr.  Trutnbuli,  and  he.  has  at  dif- . 
ferent  times  afiUted  others  with  various  articles.  Should  my 
fentiments  happily  coincide  with  thofe  of  your  honours  on  this 
fubjeci,  I  beg  leave  to  recommend  Mr.  I  luiribull  as  a  very- 
proper  per  (on  for  this  department.  In  the  arrangement  of 
troops  collected  under  fuch  circumftances,  and  upon  the  fpur  of 
immediate  neceflity,  feveral  appointments  are  omitted,  which 
appear  to  be  indifpenfably  neceflary  for  the  good  government 
of  the  army— particularly  a  quarter-m after  general,  a  commif- 
fary  of  mufters,  and  a  commilTary  of  artillery.  Thefe  I  muft 
earneftly  recommend  to  the  notice  and  proviiion  of  the  Con- 
grels. 

I  find  myfclf  already  much  embarra-Ted,  for  want  of  a  milita- 
ry cheft.  'i  hefe  embarraffments  will  iacreafe  every  day  :  1  muft 
therefore  requeft  that  money  may  be  forwarded  as  icon  as  pof- 
flble.  The  want  of  this  "moil  neceilary  article  will  (I  fear)  pro- 
duce great  inconveniencies,  if  not 'prevented  by  an  early  atten- 
tion. I  find  the  army  in  general,  and  the  troops  raifed  in  maf- 
fachufetts  in  particular,  very  deficient  in  neceuary  cloathing. 
Upon  enquiry,  there  appears  no  probability  of  obtaining  any 
fupplies  in  this  quarter :  and,  on  the  beft  coniideraticn  of  this 
matter  I  am  able  to  form,  I  am  of  opinion  that  a  m-mber  of 
:;ng  fliirts  (not  lefs  than  ten  thcufand)  would  in  a  great  de- 
gree remove  this  difficulty,  in  the  cheapelr.  and  quickeii  manner. 
I  know  nothing,  in  a  fpedul&tive  view,  more  ttivial,  yet,  if  put 
la  practice,  would  have  a  happier  tendency  to  unite  the  men, 
and  abol  iih  thofe  provincial  diminutions  which  lead  to  jealoufy 
and  .diffatisfa&ion. 

In  a  former  part  of  this  letter,  I  mentioned  the  want  of  en- 
gineers. I  can  hardly  exprefs  the  difappointracnt  I  have  expe- 
rienced on  this  fubjejt,—rthe  jfkil!  cf  thofe  we  have  being  very 
imperfect,  and  confined  to  the  mere  manual  exercife  of  cannon  j- 
whereas  the  war  in  which  we  are  engaged  requires  a  knowledge, 
comprehending  the  duties  of  the  field,  and  fortification.  If  a- 
ny  perfons  thus  qualified  are  to  be  found  in  the  fouthern  colo- 
nies, it  would  be  of  great  public  fcrvice  to  forward  them  with 
all  expedition. 


TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON1* 

Upon  the  article  of  ammunition,  I  mult  re-echo  the  former 
complaints  on  this  Inbject.  We  are  fo  exceedingly  dell^te, 
that  our  artillery  will  be  of  little  ufe,  without  a  fupply  both 
large  and  feafonable.  What  we  have  muft  be  refei  ved  fo1* 

the   fmall  arras,    and  that  managed   with   the   utmoft  frueali- 
ty>     *     *     * 

The  ftate  of  the  army  you  will  find  afcertained  with  tolera- 
ble precision  in  the  returns  which  accompany  this  letter.  Up, 
on  finding  the  number  of  men  to  fall  fo  far  fhort  of  the  tfb- 
bliihment,  and  beiow  all  expectation,  I  immediately  called  a 
council  of  the  general  officers,  whole  opinion  (as  to  the  mode 
of  filling  up  the  regiments,  and  providing  for  the  prefent  exi- 
g&ncy)  I  have  the  honour  of  inclofing,  together  with  the  belt 
judgment  we  are  able  to  form  of  the  minifterial  troops.  From 
the  number  of  boys,  deferters,  and  negroes,  that  have  been  en- 
lifted  in  the  troops  of  this  province,  1  entertain  fome  doubts 
whether  the  number  required  can  be  raifed  here  :  and  all  the 
general  officers  agree  that  no  dependence  can  be  put  on  the  mi- 
litia, for  a  continuance  in  camp,  or  regularity  and  difcipline 
during  the  mort  time  they  may  Itay.  This  unhappy. ^and  de- 
voted province  has  been  fo  long  in  a  flate.  of  anarchy,  and  the 
yo'ke  *  *  *  been  laid  fo  heavily  on  it,  that  great 

allowances  are  to  be  made  for  troops  railed  under  fuch  circum- 
fhnces.  The  deficiency  of  numbers,  difcipline,  and  ikucs,  can 
only  lead  to  this  conclufion— that  their  fpirit  has  exceeded  their 
ftrength.  But  at  the  fame  time  I  would  humbly  fubmit  to  the 
confideration  of  Congrefs  the  propriety  of  making  fome  further 
provision  of  men  from  the  other  colonies.  If  thefe  regiments 
mould  be  completed  to  their  eftablilhment,  the  difmillion  of 
thofe  unfit  for  duty  on  account  of  their  age  and  character  would 
occafion  a  considerable  reduction ;  and,  at  all  events,  they 
have  been  enlifted  upon  fuch  terms,  that  they  may  be  diihand- 
ed  when  other  troops  arrive.  But  mould  my  appreheniions  be 
realifed,  and  the  regiments  here  not  filled  up,  the  public  caufe 
would  fuffer  by  an  abfolute  dependence  upon  fo  doubtful  an 
event,  unlefs  fome  provifion  is  made  againft  fuch  a  difapooint- 

ment>  -rr.^  <~-^r 

It  requires  no  military  ikirf,  to  judge  pt  the  difficulty  of  in- 
troducing proper  difcipline  and  fubordination  into  an  army 
while  we  have  the  enemy  in  view,  and  are  in  daily  expedition 
of  an  attack  :  but  it  is  of  fo  much  importance,  that  every  cf- 
Jprt  will  be  made,  which  time  and  circumltances  will  admit. 
^1  the  mean  time  I  have  a  lincere  pleafure  in  obierving  that 
thcie  arc  materials  for  a  good  aimy— -a  great  numbei  of  able- 
bodied 


\ 


O  F  F  I  C  I  A  L   L  E  T  T  E  R  S.  n 

bodied  men,  a&ive,  zealous  in  the  caufe,  and  of  unqueflionable 
courage. 

I  am  now,  fir,  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  favor  of 
the  twenty-eighth,  inclofing  the  refolutions  of  Congrefs,  of  the 
twenty-feventh  ultimo,  and  a  copy  of  a  letter  from  the  commit- 
tee of  Albany  j  to  all  which  I  mall  pay  due  attention, 

Generals  Gates  and  Sullivan  have  both  arrived  in  good 
health. 

My  bed  abilities  are  at  all  times  devoted  to  the  fervice  of 
my  country;  but  I  feel  the  weight,  importance,  and  variety  of 
my  prefent  duties  too  fenfibly,  not  to  wim  a  more  immediate 
and  frequent  communication  with  the  Congrefs.  I  fear  it  may 
often  happen  in  the  courfe  of  our  prefent  operations,  that  I  ih>U 
need  that  affiitance  and  direclion  from  them,  which  time  and 
diftance  will  not  allow  me  to  receive. 

Since  writing  the  above,  I  have  alfo  to  acknowledge  your  fa* 
vor  of  the  fourth  initant  by  Feflenden,  and  the  receipt  of  the 
commiflions  and  articles  of  war.  The  former  are  yet  eight  hun- 
dred fhort  of  the  number  required.  This  deficiency  you  will 
pleafe  to  fupply  as  foon  as  you  conveniently  can.  Among  the 
othef  returns,  i  have  alfo  fent  one  of  our  killed,  wounded,  and 
miffing  in  the  late  a&ion  ;  but  have  been  able  to  procure  no 
certain  account  of  the  lors  of  the  minifterial  troops.  My  beft 
intelligence  fixes  it  at  about  five  hundred  killed,  and  fix  or  fe- 
ven  hundred  wounded  :  but  it  is  no  more  than  conjecture.  —  the 
utraoft  pains  being  taken  on  their  fide  to^conceal  it.  I  have  the 
honor  to  be,  &c.  G.  W. 

P.  S.  Having  ordered  the  commanding  officer  to  give  me  the 
farlieil  intelligence  of  every  motion  of  the  enemy  by  land  or 
water,  difcernible  from  the  heights  of  his  camp,  I  this  initant, 
as  I  was  clofing  my  letter,  received  the  inclofed  from  the  bri- 
gade major.  The  defign  of  this  manoeuvred  know  not  :  —  per- 
haps it  may  be  to  make  a  defcent  fomewhere  along  the  coalt  ; 
—  it  may  be  for  New-  York  ;  or  it  may  be  pradifed  as  a 
deception  on  us.  I  thought  it  not  improper  however  to  men- 
tion the  matter  to  you  :  I  have  done  the  fame  to  the  commandr 
ing  officer  at  New^9rK  ;  anc^I  mall  let  it  be  known  to  the 
committee  of  fafety  here,  fo  that  intelligence  may  be  communi- 
cated, as  they  fiiall  think  beft,  along  the  fea-coaft  of  this  go- 
vernment. 


SIR, 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON'* 


Si?.,  Camp  at  Cambridge,  July   14.    177?. 

SINCE  I  didmyfelf  the  honor  of  addrefiing  you  on  the  tenth 
joftant,  Nothing  material  has  happened  in  the  camp.  Fron* 
lome  authentic  and  later  advices  of  the  ftate  of  the  miniiierial 
iroops,  and  the  great  inconvenience  of  calling  in  the  militia  ia 
the  midll  of  harycft,  I  have  been  induced  for  the.  prefent  to 
v;ave  it  : — but  in  the  mean  tims  recruiting  parties  have  been 
fc;.r  -if/iron ghaut  this  province,  to  fill  up  the  regiments  to  the  e- 
irsblifhrrient  of  the  provincial  Congrefs,  At  the  fame  time  that 
"J  received  thefe  advices,  I  alfo  obtained  a  lift  of  the  officers  of 
the  enemy  killed  and  wounded  in  the  late  battle  at  Charleftov»n, 
which  J  take  this  opportunity  to.  inclofe. 

The  great  fcarcky  of  frelh  proviiions  in,  their  army  has  led 
ine  to  take  every  precaution  to  prevent  a  fupply  :  for  this  pur- 
pofe,  I  have  ordered  all  the  cattle. and  iheep  to  be  drawn  from 
the  low  grounds  and  farms  within  their  reac|i.  A  detatchment 
from  general  Thpmas's  camp,  on,  wednefday  night,  went  over 
to  Long-Iiland,  and  brought  frorn.  thence  twenty  cattle  and  s, 
number  of  fheep,  with  about  fifteen  laborers  who  had  been  put 
on  by  a  Mr.  Ray  Thomas,  to  cut  the  hay,  &c.  By  fome  ac- 
cident they  omitted  burning  the  hay,  and  returned  the  next  day 
at  noon  to  complete  it  j  which  they  effected,  amidft  the  firing 
DI  the  fhipping,  with  the  lofs  pf  one  man  killed  and  another 
wounded. 

Laft  evening  alfo  a  party  of  the  conne&icut-men  ftrolled 
rio'/vn  on  the  roaiih  at  Roxbury,  and  fired  upon  a  centry  j  which 
drew  on  a  heavy  fire  from  the  enemies  line's  and  rloating  bat- 
*tfies,  but  attended  with  no  other  effecl:  tha^i  the  lofs  of  one 
killed  by  a  mot  from  the  enemies  line's.  In  the  mean  time, 
y/e  are,  on  both  iides,  continuing  pur  work^  :  but  there  has 
p*:en  no  other  mo  /crnent  than  w^iat  1  have  notice^!  above.  I 
lhall  endeavour  to  give  a  regular  and  particular  account  of  all 
tranfaftions.  as  they  occur,  which  you  will  pleafe  to  lay  before 
the  honorable  Congrcis,  1  li^ve  the  honor  to  be,  iivc,  G.  VV. 


SIR,  Camp  at  Cambridge,  Jufy  21,  1775, 

SINCE  I  did  myfclf  the  honor  of  addre'iTing  you  the 
fourteenth  inftant,  I  have  received  advice  from  governor  T rum- 
bull,  that  the  ailembly  of  Connecticut  had  voted,  and  that  they 
art  now  raifing,  two  regiments  of  feven  hundred  men  each,  in 
confluence  of  an  application  from  the  provincial  Congrefs  of  Mai- 

fachufcttS" 


OFFICIAL    LETTER  3.  13 

£ic!iufetts-Bay.  The  Rliode-Ifland  affembly  has^alfo  made  an 
augmentation  for  this  purpofe.  Thefe  reinforcements,  with 
Voe  riflemen  .who  are  daily  expefted,  and  fuch  recruits  as  m^y 
Apine  in  to  iill  up  the  regiments  heie,  will,  1  apprehend,  com-  ' 
pole  an  avray  fufficiently  itrong  to  oppoie  any  force  which  may 
be  brought  againil  u;j  at  prefect.  I  ana.  very  fenfcble  that  the 
jjjrav.y  expenie,  ueceiiarUy  attendant  upon  this  campaign,  wiij. 
call  for  the  utmyli  frugality  and  care,  and  would  therefore,  if 
poffible,  avoid  enliiiing  one  unneceiTary  man.  As  this  is  the 
rirft  certain  accouut  of  the  deilination  of  thefe  new-railed,  troops, 
I  thought  proper  to  communicate  my  fentiments  as  early  as 
poffible,  left,  the  Congreis  fhould  acl  upon  my  letter  of, the 
tenth,  and  raife  troops  in  the  fouthern  colonies,  which,  in  iny 
present  judgment  may  be  difpenfed  with. 

For  thefe  eight  days  pall,  there  have  been  no  movements  iof 
either  camp,  ot  any  coniequence.    On  our  fide,  we  have  conti- 
nued the  works  without  any  intermiilion  j  and  they  are  now  fo 
far  advanced  ,as  to  leave  us  little  to  apprehend  on  that  fcore, 
,Qn  the  iide  gf  the  enemy,  they  have  alia  been  vtry  induihious 
in  fiuiiUing  their  lines,  both  qn   Bunkers-hill  and  Roxbury- 
-neck.     In  this  interval  alfo,  their  tranfports  have  arrived  from 
.New  York  ;   and, they  h^ve  been  employed  in  landing  and  fta- 
tioning  their  men.      i  have  been  able  to.collecl:  no  certain  ac- 
count of  the  numbers  arrived  j  but  the  inclofed  letter,  wrote 
(though  not  figned)  by  Mr.  SheriiF  Lee,  and  delivered  me  by 
captain  Darby  (who  went  exprefs  with  an  account  of  the  Lex- 
ington battle)   will  enable  us  to  form  a  pretty  accurate  judg- 
ment.    The  increafe  of  tents  and  men  in  the  town  of  £»oiton  is 
very  obviqu§  ;  but   all  my   accounts  from  thence  agree   that 
there  is  a  great  mortality,  occalioned  by  the  want  of  vegeta- 
bles and  freih  meat  j   and    that   their  lofs  in  the  late  battle  at 
Charleftown   (from   the  few  recoveries  qd»  their  wounded)  iu 
greater  than  at  £ril  fuppofed.     1'he  condition  of  the  inhabit- 
ants  detained  in   Boilon  is  very  di ft r elfin g:  they  are  equally 
deiiitiite  of  the  comfort  of  freih  provifions  j  and  many  oi  thejn 
ire  fo  reduced  in  their  circumitances,  as  to  be  unable  to  fupply 
themfelves  with  fait.     Such  fiia  a*>  the  foldiery  leave,  is   their 
principal  fupport.   *A<lded  to*ail  this,  fuch  iufpicion  and  jea- 
Joufy   prevails,   that  they  can    fcarcely  fpeak,  or  even  look, 
without  expofing  themleives  to  fome  fpecies  of  military  exe- 
cution. 

I  have  not  been  able,  from  any  intelligence  I  have  received, 
io  form  any  certain  judgment  of  the  future  operations  ot-riic 
enemv.  Sometimes  1  i^ave  fufpe&ed  an  intention  of  detaching 

a  part 


14  GENERAL  WASHINGTON'S 

a  part  of  their  array  to  forae  part  of  the  coaft,  as  they  have 
been  building  a  number  of  flat-bottomed  boats,  capable  of 
holding  two  hundred  men  each.  But,  from  their  works,  and 
the  language  held  at  Boflon,  there  is  reafon  to  think  they  ex- 
peel  the  attack  from  us,  and  are  principally  engaged  in  prepar- 
ing themfelves  againft  it.  I  have  ordered  all  the  whale-boats 
along  the  coaft  to  be  collected  :  and  fome  cf  them  are  employ- 
ed every  night  to  watch  the  motions  of  the  enemy  by  water, 
fo  as  to  guard  as  much  as  poflible  againft  any  furprife.  *  *  * 

Next  to  the  more  immediate  and  prerTing  duties  of  putting 
our  lines  in  as  fecure  a  ftate  as  poflible,  attending  to  the  move- 
ments of  the  enemy,  and  gaining  intelligence — my  great  con- 
cern is  to  eftablith  order,  regularity,  and  difcipline,  without 
•which,  our  numbers  would  embarrafs  us,  and,  in  £aie  of  action, 
general  confunon  muft  infallibly  enfue.  Jn  order  {o  this,  I 
propofe  to  divide  the  army  into  three  divifions  : — at  the  head 
of  each,  will  be  a  general  officer  : — thefe  divifions  to  be  again 
fubdivided  into  brigades,  under  their  refpective  brigadiers. 
But  the  difficulty  ariiing  from  the  arrangement  of  the  general 
officers,  and  waiting  the  farther  proceedings  of  the  Ccngrefs  on 
this  fubject,  has  much  retarded  my  progreis  in  this  moft  necef- 
fary  work.  I  mould  be  very  happy  to  receive  their  final  comT 
mands,  as  any  determination  would  enable  me  to  proceed  in 
my  plan.  *  *  * 

In  addition  to  the  officers  mentioned  in  mine  of  the  tenth 
snftant,  I  would  humbly  propoie  that  fome  provifion  mould  be 
made  for  a  judge-advocate,  and  provoft-marmal.  The  neceOi- 
ty  of  the  firft  appointment  was  fo  great,  that  I  was  obliged  to 
nominate  Mr.  i  udor,  who  was  well  recommended  to  me,  and 
now  executes  the  office  under  the  expectation  of  receiving  cap- 
tain's pay— an  allowance  (in  my  opinion)  Icarcely  adequate  to 
the  fervice,  in  nefo-raifed  troops,  where  there  are  court-mar- 
tials every  day.  However,  as  that  is  the  proportion  in  the 
regular  army,  and  he  is  coptented,  there  will  be  no  necefihy 
of  an  addition. 

I  muft  alfo  renew  my  requeft  as  to  money,  and  the  appoint- 
ment of  a  paymafter.  I  have  forebore  urging  matters  of  this 
nature,  from  my  knowledge  di  tlie  manV  important  concerns 
•which  engage  the  attention  of  the  Congiefs  j  but  as  I  find  my 
difficulties  thicken  every  day,  I  make  no  doubt,  fuitable  re^ 
gard  will  be  paid  to  a  neceffity  of  this  kind.  The  inconveni- 
ence of  borrowing  fuch  fums  as  are  conftantly  requifite  muft  be- 
*oo  plain  for  me  to  enlarge  upon,  and  is  a  fituation  from  which 
I  mould  be  very  happy  to  be  relieved. 

Upon 


OFFICIAL   LETTERS,  i  j 

Upon  the  experience  I  have  had,  and  the  bell  confederation 
of  the  appointment  of  the  feveral  officers  of  commiffiary-gene- 
ral,  muiter-mafter-general,  quarter-maiter-general,  pay-mairer- 
general,  and  commiiTiary  of  artillery,  I  am  clearly  of  opinion 
that  they  not  only  conduce  to  order,  difpatch,  and  difcipline, 
but  that  it  is  a  meafure  of  economy.  The  delay,  the  watte, 
and  unpunilhable  neglecl  of  duty,  arinng  from  thefe  officers 
being  in  commiflion  in  feveral  hands,  evidently  {hew  that  the 
public  expence  muft  be  finally  enhanced.  I  have  experienced 
the  want  of  thefe  officers,  in  completing  the  returns  of  men, 
ammunition,  and  ftores.  The  latter  are  yet  imperfect,  from 
the  number  of  hands  in  which  they  are  difperfed.  I  have  in- 
clofed  the  laft  weekly  return,  which  is  more  accurate  than  the 
former  ;  and  hope  in  a  little  time  we  {hall  be  perfectly  regular 
in  this  as  well  as  feveral  other  neceffary  branches  of  duty. 

I  have  made  inquiry  into  the  eftablifliment  of  the  hofpital, 
and  find  it  in  a  very  unfettled  condition.  There  is  no  princi- 
pal direclor,  nor  any  fubordinaiion  among  the  furgeons  :  of 
eonfequence,  difputes  and  contentions  have  arifen,  and  muft 
rontinue  until  it  is  reduced  to  fome  fyftem.  I  could  wifli  it 
\vas  immediately  taken  into  confideratiorC,  as  the  lives  and 
health  of  both  officers  and  men  fo  much  depend  upon  a  due 
regulation  of  this  department.  I  h^ve  been  particularly  atten- 
tive to  the  leafl  fymptoms  of  the  fmall-pox  j  and  hitherto  we 
have  been  fo  fortunate  as  to  have  every  perfon  removed  fo 
foon,  as  not  only  to  prevent  any  communication,  but  any  alarm 
or  apprehenfion  it  might  give  in  the  camp.  We  mall  continue 
the  utmoft  vigilance  againft  this  moft  dangerous  enemy. 

In  an  army  properly  organifed,  there  are  fundry  offices  of  an 
inferior  kind,  fuch  as  waggon-marter,  mafter-carpenter,  &c. 
but  I  doubt  whether  my  powers  are  fufficienjjy  exteniive  for 
fuch  appointments.  If  it  is  thought  proper  to  repofe  fuch  a 
truft  in  me,  I  mall  be  governed,  in  the  difcharge  of  it,  Iby  a 
Uriel:  regard  to  economy  and  the  public  intereft. 

My  inllructions  from  the  honourable  Congrefs  direct  that  no 
troops  are  to  be  difbanded  without  their  expiefs  direction,  nor 
to  be  recruited  to  more^than  double  the  number  of  the  enemy. 
Upon  this  fubjeft  I  beg  leave  to  reprefent,  that,  unlefs  the  re- 
giments in  this  province  are  more  fuccefsful  in  recruiting  than 
I  have  reafon  to  expeft,  a  reduction  of  fome  of  them  will  be 
highly  neceu'ary,  as  the  public  is  put  to  the  whole  expence  of 
an  eiiablifiiment  of  officers,  while  the  real  flrength  of  the  regi- 
ment (which  confifts  in  the  rank  and  file)  is  defective.  In  cafe 
of  fuch  a  reduction,  doubtlefs  fome  of  the  privates  and  all  the* 

officers 


T,  would  return  home  :  but  many  of  the  former  wou!<4  'p/i 
joto  the  remaining  regiments  ;  and,  having  had  ibme  expeu- 
cnce,  would  fill  them  up  with  ufeful  men.  '  I  fb  plainly  per- 
ceive the  expence  of  this  campaign  will  exceed  any  calculation 
hitherto  made,  that  I  am  particularly  anxious  to  ilrike  off  eve- 
ry unneceiTary  charge.  You  will  therefore,  fir,  be  plea.fed  to 
favor  me  with  explicit  direclions  from  the  Congrefs,  on  the 
mode  of  this  reduction  (if  it  fhall  appear  neceffary)  that  no 
time  may  be  loil  when  fuch  necedity  appears. 

Yefterday  \ve  had  an  account  that  tire  light-houfe  was  b\i 
fire  : — by  ivhorn,  and  under  what  orders,  I  have  not  yet  learn- 
ed 7  but  we  have  reafon  to  believe  it  has  been  done  by  our  ir- 
'ars. 

You  will  pleafe  to  prefent  me  to  the  Cctogfefs,  with  the  nt- 
•moft  duty  and  refpecl  j  and  believe  me  to  be,  &c.  G.  \V. 

P.  S.  Captain  Darby's  itay  in  England  was  fo  ihort,  that  lie 
brings  no  other  information,  than  what  the  incicfed  letter,  and 
the  news-papers  which  will  accompany  this,  contain.  General 
Gage's  difpatches  had  not  arrived  ;  and  the  miniftfy  affe&ed 
to  disbelieve  the  whole  account,  treating  it  as  a  ficliori,  or  ut 
isioft,  an  affair  of  little  confcquence.— The  full  of  ilocks  was 
very  coniiderabie. 


Camp  at  Cambridge,  July  21,  1775,  5  o'clock,  P.  jJ/4 

SIR, 

SINCE  clcfing  the  letters  xvhicti  accompany  this,  I  have 
received  an  account  of  the  deilru&ion  of  the  light-houfc  ;  a 
copy  of  which  I  have  the  honor  to  inclofe — and  of  again  allur- 
ing you  that  I  a&4  with  great .'refpec't,  &c.  G.  W. 

P.  S.  1  have  alfo  received  a  more  authentic  account  of  the 
lofs  of  the  enemy  in  the  late  battle,  than  any  yet  received, 
Dr.  Winmip,  who  lodged  in  the  fame  houie  with  an  officer  o: 
the  marines,  allures  me  they  had  exactly  one  thoufand  and  for- 
ty-three killed  and  wounded — of  whom  three  hundred  fell  o:.? 
the  field,  or  died  within  a  few  hours.  oVlany  of  the  wounded 
are  iince  dead. 


SIR,  Camp  at  £?;;*/£ *vV/£?,  July  27,    177;.' 

NOTHING   material  has  occurred  in  either  camp,  iince 

I  had  the  honor  of  addrciiing  you  On  the  t'wenty-nritinitant  by 

exprcfs ; 


OFFICIAL    LETT  E  R  S*  17 

rxprefs':  but  on  Tuefday  three  men-of-war  and  nine  tranfports 
failed  out  of  Kofton  harbor,  and  Jftood  a  courfe  about  E.  S.  E. 

One  Groves,  who  came  out  of  Bofton  the  fame,  evening  in- 
formed the  officer  at  one  of  the  outpofts,  that  the  tranfports 
tad  on  board  fix  hundred  men,  and  were  bound  to  Block-lf- 
land,  FiiherVIiland,  and  Long- 1  Hand,  to  plunder  them,  and 
bring  off  what  cattle  they  may  find.  The  fellow  returned 
again  into  Boflon  under  fuch  fufpicious  circumftances,  that  it 
has  led  me  to  doubt  the  truth  of  his  intelligence* 

A  deierter,  who  came  in  afterwards,  informs  me  that  it  was 
given  out  in  their  camp,  that  they  were  either  gone  for  Indians 
or  frefti  provifions  :  and  that  each  tranfport  had  but  twenty 
men  on  board.  Upon  this  intelligence,  I  immediately  wrote 
to  governor  Cooke  of  Rhode-Iiland,  and  to  general  Woofter, 
that  they  might  take  proper  precautions  for  removing  the  cat- 
tle off  thofe  iilands  and  the  coafts,  and  to  .prevent  any  furprife. 
As  we  are  confirmed,  by  every  account,  in  the  fcarcity  of  frefh 
provifions  in  the  enemy's  camp,  and  particularly  by  this  de- 
i'erter,  it  is  very  probable  this  .voyage  may  be  only  intended  for 
a  lupply  ;  but  as  it  may  poilibly  be  otherwife,  I  thought  it 
fcierl  to  tranfmit  the  intelligence  to  the  honorable  Congrefs, 
that  they  may  forward  it  to  the  fouthward,  or  take  fach  other 
ileps  as  they  may  judge  proper. 

Since  writing  the  above,  three  more  deferters  have  come 
out— which  makes  four  in  twenty-four  hours.  Their  accounts 
correfpond  with  thofe  of  the  firil  who  came  out,  and  which  I 
have  related  above.  I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c.  G.  W* 


SIR,  Catoj)  at  Cambridge ,  Aug^   4,  1775* 

I  AM  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  o&jgrour  favour  of  the 
twenty-fourth  July,  accompanied  by  two  hundred  and  eighty 
four  comraiilions,  which  are  yet  much  ihort  of  the  neceffary 
number  I  am  much  honored  by  the  confidence  repdfed  in 
me,  of  appointing  the  feveral  officers  recommended  in  mine  of 
the  tenth  ultimo  -7  and  mall  endeavor  to  feleft  luch  perfons  as 
are  bell  qualified  to  fJl  thefe  imiio'rtaht  pofts.  *  -  *  * 

In  the  renewal  of  thcfe  commiflions,  fome  difficulties  occur, 
in  which  I  ftiotild  be  glad  to  know  the  pleafure  of  the  honora- 
ble Congrefs.  The  general  officers  of  the  Maffachufetts  have 
regiments  •,  thofe  of  Connecticut  have  both  regiments  and  com- 
panies j  and  the  other  field  officers  have  companies  each.  From 
Rhode-f  Hand,  the  general  officer  has  no  regimsat,  bu:  the  field 

C  ofn- 


18  GENERAL  WASHINGTON'S 

officers  have  companies :  but  I  do  not  find  that  they  have  cts* 
expect  pay  under  more  than  one  comrmffion.  Should  the 
commiflions,  now  to  be  delivered,  purfue  thefe  different  ef- 
tablifliments,  there  will  be  a  diftinftion  between  general  and 
field  officers  of  the  lame  rank.  In  order  to  pat  New-Harnp- 
fkire,  Maffachufetts,  and  Rhode-Ifland,  upon  a  line  with  Con- 
necticut, it  would  be  neceflary  to  difmifs  a  number  of  officers 
in  poffeilion  of  commifikms,  without  any  fault  of  theirs.  On 
the  other  hand,  to  bring  the  Connecticut  generals  and  field  offi- 
cers to  the  fame  fcale  with  the  others,  will  add  to  the  number 
of  officers,  and  may  be  deemed  inconfiftent  with  the  terms  on 
which  they  entered  into  the  fervice,  although  you  add  nothing 
to  the  expenfe,  except  in  the  article  of  provifions.  Upon  the 
whole,  it  is  a  cafe  which  I  would  wiih  the  honorable  Congrefs 
to<:onfider  and  determine. 

Colonel  Gridley  of  this  province,    who  is  at  the  head  of  the 
artillery,    has  the  rank  of  major-general    from  the   provincial- 
Cong-refs.      Will  it  be  proper  to  renew  his   commiffion  here  in 
the  fame  manner  ? — It  is  proper  here  to  remark,   that,    in  this~ 
cafe,  he  will  take  rank  of  all  the  brigadiers-general,  and  evea  . 
the  majors-general,  whofe  commiflions  are   fubfequent  in  date  :  ~ 
and  this  can  anfwer  no  good  purpofe,  but  may  be  productive  of 
many  bad  confequences. 

Thefe  are  matters  of  fome  importance  :  but  I  am  embarraff- 
ed  with  a  difficulty  of  a  fuperior  kind.  The  eftimate,  made  in 
Congrefs,  fuppofed  all  the  regiments  to  be  formed  upon  one  ef- 
tablifhment j  but  they  are  different  in  different  provinces,  and 
even  vary  in  the  fame  province,  in  fome  particulars:  In  maila- 
chufetts,  fome  regiments  have  ten  companies,  others  eleven;  the 
eftablimment  of  the  former  is  five  hundred  and  ninety  men,  of- 
ficers included  ; — of  the  latter  fix  hundred  and  forty  nine, 
The  eftablifhment  01  Rhode-Ifland  and  New-Hampfhire  is  five- 
hundred  and  ninety  to  a  regiment,  officers  included  : — Coqnec- 
ticut  has  a  thoufand  men  to  a  regiment.  Should  the  Maffachu- 
fetts regiments  be  completed,  with  the  new  levies  from  Rhodt- 
Ifla,nd  and  Connecticut,  and  the  riflemen,  the  number  will  ex- 
ceed twenty-twe  thoufand.  If f  they  fhould  not  be  completed, 
—as  each  regiment  is  fully  officered,  there  will  be  a  heavy  ex- 
penfe to  the  public,  without  an  adequate  fervice.  The  reduc- 
tion of  fome  of  them  feems  to  be  neceffary,  and  yet  is  a  mat- 
ter of  much  delicacy,  as  we  are  fituated.  I  moft  earneftly  re~ 
queft  jtmay  be  taken  into  immediate  confideration,  and  the  time 
and  mode  of  doing  it  pointed  out  by  the  honorable  Congrefs. 
By  an  eilimate  I  have  made  from  the  general  return, — when 

tlie 


OFFICIAL   LETTERS.  19 

the -new  levies  arrive-,  and  tire  regiments  are  completed,  there 
•vvill  be  twenty- four,  thoufand' four  hundred  and  fifty  men  on  the- 
pay  and  provinon  of  the  United  Colonies.  Some  of  the  re- 
cruiting- officers,  who  have  been  out  on  that  fervice,  have  re- 
turned with  very  little  fuccefs  j  fo  that  we  mayf.ifely  conclude, 
the  number  of  two  thoufand  and'  fixty-four,  now  wanting  to 
complete,  will  rather  increafe  than  diminifh*  There  are  the 
regiment  of  artillery,  confifting  of  four  hundred  and  ninety- 
three  men,  and  one  under  colonel  Sergeant  ("who  has  not  receiv- 
ed any  commiflion,  although  he  had  orders  to  iraife  a  regiment, 
from  the  provincial  Gongrefs  here)  which  are  hot  included  in 
the  above  eftimate.  This  laft  regiment  coniifts  of  two  hund- 
red and  thirty-four  men  by  the  laft  return  j  but  a  company  has 
fince joined. 

By  adverting  to  the  general  return,  which  I  have  the  ho- 
nor of  inclofmg  (No.  i),  it  will  be  feen,  what  regiments  are 
inoft  deficient. 

If  the  Congreft  does  not  chufe  to  .point  out  the  particular  regi- 
ments, but  the  provinces  in  which  the  reduction  is  to  be  made 
the  feveral  CongreiTes  and  ArTemblies  may  be  the  proper  chan- 
nel to  conduct,  this  bufinefs,  which  I  would  alfo  conceive  the 
mod  advifeable,  from  their  better  acquaintance  xvith  the  merits, 
terms,  and  time  of  fervice,  of  the  refpec~Uve  officers.  Reduc- 
ing fome  regimerrts,  and,  with  the  privates  thereof,  filling  up 
others,  would  certainly  be  the  beft  method  of  accompliming" 
this  work  if  it  were  practicable  :  but  the  experiment  is  danger- 
ous, as  the  Maffachufetts-men,  under  the  privilege  of  chuiingf 
their  own  officers,  do  not  conceive  tjiemfelves  bound,  ff  thole 
officers  are  difbanded, 

As  general  Gage  is  making  preparations  for  winter  by  con* 
trading  for  quantities  of  coal,  it  will  fuggeftjo  us  the  proprie- 
ty of  extending  our  views  to  that  feafon.  ihave  directed  that 
fuch  huts  as  have  been  lately  made  of  boards  fhould  be  done 
in  luck  a  manner,  that,  if  neceffary,:  they  may  ferve  for  cover- 
ing during  the  winter.  But  I  need  not  enlarge  upon  the  va- 
riety of  neceflities,  fuch  as  cloathing.  fuel,  &c,  (both  exceed- 
iagly  fcarce,  and  difficult  to  be  procured)  which  that  feafon 
muft  bring  with  it,  if  the  army  of  any  'confideiable  part  of  it  is* 
to  remain  embodied. 

From  the  inactivity  of  the  erMimy  fince  the  arriv-al-  of  fheir 
whole  reinforcement, — their  continual  addition  to  their  lin-es, 
— and  many  other  cirucmftances, — J-  am  inclined  'to  think,  that 
finding  us  fo  xvell  prepared  to  receive  them,  the  plan  of  opera- 
tions is  varied,  and  they  mean,  by  regular  approaches,  to  bom- 

C  a  bard 


23  GENERAL  WASHINGTON'* 

bard,  us"  out  of  oui  prefent  line  of  defence^  of  are  war:n  - 
expectation  that  fhe  colonies  mull  fink  under  the  weight  of  the 
expenfe.-or  the  profpecl  cf  a  winter  campaign  fo  difcouia^e  our 
troops,  as  to  break  up  our  army.  If  they  have  not  iorne  inch 
expectations,  the  iffue  of  which  they  are  determined  to  wait,  I 
cannot  account  for  the  delay,  when  th.ir  ftrength  is  leilened 
every  day  by  fkknefs,  defertions,  and  little  fkirmifhes. 

.Of  thefe  lail  we  have  had  only  two  worthy  of  notice.  Hav- 
Jsig  feme  rcafon  to  fufpecr.  they  were  extending  their  lines  at 
Charleiiown,  I,  lait  faturday  evening,  ordered  forne  of  the  ri- 
flemen down,  to  make  a  difcovery,  or  bring  off  a  priioner. 
They  were  accidently  difcovered  fooner  than  they  expeded, 
by  the  guard  coming  to  relieve,  and  obliged  to  fire  upon  them. 
We  have  reafon  to  believe  they  killed  feVeral.  They  brought 
in  two  prifoners,  whofe  account  (confirmed  by  forne  other  cir- 
cumftances)  removed  my  fufpicions  in  part.  Since  that  time/ 
we  have,  on  each  fide,  drawn  in  our  Gentries,  and  there  have 
been  fettering  fires  along  the  line.  This '  evening  we  have 
Heard  of  three  captains  who  have  been  taken  off  by  the  rifle- 
men, and  one  killed  by  a  cannon-  (hot  from  Roxbury,  beiide&> 
feveral  privates  :  but  as  the  intelligence  is  not  direct,  I  only 
mention  it  as  a  report  which  deferves  credit. — The  other  hap- 
pened at  the  light-houfe.  A  number  of  workmen  haviirg  been 
fent  down  to  repair  it,  with  a  guard  of  twenty-two  marines  and 
a  fubaltern, — major  Tupper,  lail  monday  morning  about  two 
©"clock,  landed  there  with  about  three  hundred  men,  attacked 
them,  killed  the  officer  and  four  privates  :  but  being  detained 
by  the  tide,  in  his  return  he  was  attacked  by  leverai  boats  :  but 
he  happily  got  through,  with  the  lofs  of  one  man  killed,  and 
another  wounded.  The  remainder  of  the  rninifterial  troops 
(thjee  of  whom  are  badly  wounded)  he  brought  off  piiioners, 
with  ten  torics,  ail  of  whom  are  on  their  way  to  ^Springfield* 
jail.  The  ri^emen,  in  thefe  ikirmiihes,  loit  one  man^  who  (we 
hear)  is  a  priioner  in  Boiion-jail.  The  enemy,  in  return,  en- 
devoured  to  iurprife  our  guard  at  Roxbury  :  but  they,  being 
appriied  of  it  by  a  deferter,  had  tirae  to  prepare  for  it  :  but 
iorne  negligence  or'mifconducl  in  the  officer  of  the  guard,  they 
Lamed  the  George  tavern  on  the •  neck  j  and  have  every  clay 
iiuce  been  cannonading  us  from  their  lines,  both  at  Roxbury 
and  Charleitown,  but  with  no  oth'-r  efteft  than  the  iofs  of  two 
i.  On  our  part,  except  ftraggling  fires  from  the  fmali  arms 
about  the  lines,  which  we  endeavor  to  reilrain,  we  have  made 
or  no  return- 
Oar 


OFF-ICIAL   LErT.TERS.  21 

-Our  ntuation,  in  the.  urtkle  of  powder,  is  much  raore  alarm- 
ing than  I  had  the  mott  diftant  idea  of.  Haviog  defired  a  re-- 
turn  to  be  mad«  out  (on  my  arrival)  of  the  ammunition,  I- 
found  three  hundred  and  three,  barrels  and  a  half  of  powder* 
mentioned  as  in  the  {lore  :  but  on  ordecing  a  new  fupply  o£ 
cartridges  yeilerday,  I  was  informed,  to  my  very  great  afho- 
nifhment,  that  there  was  no  more  than  thirty-fix  barrels  of  the 
Maflachufetts  llore,  which,  with  the  ftock  of  Rhode-Ifland, 
New-Hampfhire,  and  Connecticut,  makes  nine  thoufand  nine 
hundred  and  thirty-feven  pounds, — not  more  than  nine  rounds 
a  man.  As  there  had  been  no  confumption  powder  iince,  that 
could  ia  any  degree  account  for  fuch  a  deficiency,  I  was  very 
particular  .in  my  inquiries,  and  found  that  the  committee  of 
iupplies,  not  being  fufficiently  acquainted  with  the  nature  of  £ 
return,  or  mifapprehending  my  requeil,  fent  in  an  account  of 
all  the  ammunition  which  had  been  colle&ed  by  the  province; 
fo  that  the  report  included  not  only  what  was  in  hand,  but  what 
had  been  fpent. 

Upon  discovering  this  miftake,  I  immediately  went  up  to' 
confer  with  the  fpeaker  of  the  houfe  of  reprefeatatives,  upon 
Ibme  meafures  to  obtain  a  fupply  from  the  neighbouring  town- 
ihips,  in  fuch.  a  manner  as  might  prevent  our  poverty  being 
known  5  as  it  is  a  fecret  of  too  great  confequence  to  be  divulg- 
ed in  the  general  court,  fome  individual  "of  which  might  per- 
haps indifcreetly  fuller  it  to  efcape  him,  fo  as  to  find  it's  way  to" 
the  enemy, — the  confequences  of  which  are  terrible 'even  in 
idea.  I  ihall  alto  write  to  the  governors  of  Rhode-Ifiand  and 
Connecticut,  and  the  committee  of  fafety  in  New-Hampfhire, 
on  this  fubjecl;,  urging,  in  tne  moil  forcible  terms,  the  neceffi- 
ty  of  an  immediate  iuppiy,  if  iu  cheir  power.  I  need  not  en- 
large on  our  melancholy  tituation  :  it  is  {efficient  that  the  ex- 
iftence  of  the  army  and  the  falvation  of  $K  country  depetids 
upon  foraething  being  done  for  our  relief,  both  fpeedy  and  ef- 
fectual, and  that  our  fittiation  be  kept  a  profound  fecret. 

In  the  inclofures,  No.  2  and  3,  1  fend  the  allowance  of*  pro- 
vifions,  &cc.  made  by  the. provinces  of  Connecticut  and  Maffa - 
chufetts.  The  mode  and  quantity  are  different  from  what  hrfs 
fallen  within  my  expSrience,  and,  I  am  confident,  mail  prov^ 
very  waiteful  and  cxperiilve.  If  any  alterai^on  can  be  Fafeiy 
made  (which  I  much  doubt)  there  might  "be  a  great  faving  to, 
the  public. 

A  gentleman  of  my  family,  afTiited  by  a  defcrter  who  has 
fome  Ikill  in  fortiiication,  has  by  my  direction  i3£etched  out 
tw:o  draughts  of  pur  relpective  lines  at  Charleftown  and 


2*  GENERAL.  WASHINGTON'* 

Roxbury,  which,  with  the  explanations,  will  convey  Come  idea 
of  oar  lituation,  and,  I  hope,  prove  acceptable  to  the  members 
of  the  honorable  Congrefs.  They  are  the  incloftires,  No.  4 
and  5. 

Since  I  had  the  honor  of  acldrefimg  you  laft,  I  have  been 
applied  to,  by  a  committee  of  the  general  court,  for  a  detach- 
ment of  the  army,  to  protect  the  inhabitants  of  the  eaftern 
parts  of  this  province  from  fome  apprehended  depredations 
on  their  coafts.  I  could  have  wifhed  to  have  complied  with 
their  recpieft  :  but,  after  due  confideration,  and  confulting  the 
general  officers,'  together  with  thofe  members  of  Congrefs  who 
are  here,  I  thought  it  my  duty  to  excufe  mvfelf*  The  appli- 
cation and  my  anfwer  are  the  inclofures,  No.  6  and  7,  which  I 
hope  will  be  approved  by  the  honorable  Congrefs. 

Since  I  began  this  letter,  the  original  (of  which  the  inclo- 
fure  No.  8  is  a  copy)  fell  into  my  hands.  As  the  writer  is  a 
perfon  of  fome  note  in  Bofton,  and  it  contains  fome  advices  of 
importance  not  mentioned  by  others,  I  thought  proper  to  for- 
ward it  as  I  received  it.  By  comparing  the  hand-writing  with 
another  letter,  it  appears  the  writer  is  one  Belcher  Noyes,  a 
perfon  probably  known  to  fome  of  the  gentlemen,  delegates 
from  this  province,  who  can  determine  from  his  principles  and 
character,  what  credit  is  due  to  him. 

The  army  is  now  formed  into  three  grand,  diviiions,  under 
the  command  of  the  generals  Ward,  Lee,  and  Putnam  j— —  each 
diviiion  into  two  brigades,  conlifling  of  about  fix  regiments, 
each,  commanded  by  generals  Thomas  and  Spencer  at  Roxbu- 
ry, — Heath  and  Cambridge, — Sullivan  and  Greene  at  Winter-, 
hill.  By  this,  you  will  pleafe  to  obferve,  there  is  a  deficiency 
of  one  brigadier-general  (occafioned  by  Mr.  Pomroy's  not  a£l- 
ing  under  his  commiiuon)  which  I  beg  may  be  filled  up  as  foon 
as  poflible.  I  obf«^»e  the  honorable  Congrefs  have  alfo  favor- 
ed me  with  the  appointment  of  three  brigade-majors.  I  pre- 
fume  they  have  or  intend  to  appoint  the  reft  foon,  as  they  can- 
not be  unacquainted  that  one  isneceflfary  to  each  brigade  5  and, 
in  a  new-raifed  army  it  will  be  an  oiTice  of  great  duty  and 
fer-vice. 

General  Gage  has  at  length'liberated  the  people  of  Boflon, 
who  land  in  numbers  at  Chelfea  every  day.  The  terms  on 
which  the  pafles  are  granted,  as  to  money,  effects,  and  provi- 
iions,  correfpond  with  Mr.  Noyes  letter. 

We  have  feveral  reports  that  general  Gage  is  difmantling 
Cafte-William,  and  bringing  all  the  cannon  up  to  town  :  but, 

upon 


L   LETTERS.  23 

n  a  very  particular  enquir  j,  accounts  are  fo  various,  that  I 
cannot  afcertain  tlie  truth  of  it.  *  *  * 

On  the  iirit  inilant,  a  chief  of  the  Caghnawaga  tribe,  xvho 
lives  about  fix  miles  from  Montreal,  came  in  here,  aceompa* 
nied  by  a  colonel  Bayley  of  Cahofs.  His  accounts  of  the  tem- 
per and  difpofition  of  the  Indians  are  very  favorable.  He 
fays  they  have  been  ftrongly  folicited  by  governor  Carleton  to 
engage  againft  us  j  but  his  nation  is  totally  averfe  j — that 
threats,  'as  well  as  entreaties,  have  been  ufed  without  effect ; — 
that  the  Canadians  are  well-difpofed  to  the  Englifh  colonies  : 
and,  if  any  expedition  is  meditated  againft  Canada,  the  Indians' 
in  that  quarter  will  give  all  their  afiiftance.  I  have  endeavored 
to  cheriih  thefe  favorable  difpofitions,  and  have  recommended 
to  him  to  cultivate  them  on  his  return.  What  I  have  faid,  I 
enforced  with  a  prefent,  wrhich  I  underftood  would  be  agreea* 
ble  to  him  5  and  as  he  is  reprefented  to  be  a  man  of. weight  and- 
confequence  in  his  own  tribe,  I  flatter  myfclf  his  viiitwill  have 
a  good  effeft.  His  account  of  general  Carleton's  force  and 
fituation  at  St.  John's  correfpond  with  what  we  have  already 
had  from  that  quarter. 

The  acceffion  of  Georgia  to  the  meafures  of  the  Congrefo 
i<*  a  happy  event,  and  muft  give  a  fincere  pleafure  to  every 
friend  of  America. 

Augttjl,  $.— — -We  have  accounts  this  morning  of  two  explo* 
lions  at  the  caftlc  j  fo  that  its  deftruclion  may  now  be.  fuppofed 
Certain. 

I  have  this  morning  been  alarmed  with  an  information  that 
two  gentlemen  from  Philadelphia  (Mr.  Hitchbourn  and  captaiii 
White,)  with  letters  for  general  Lee  and  myfelf,  have  been 
taken  by  captain  Ayfcough  at  Rhode-Ifland,  the  letters -inter- 
cepted and  lent  forxvard  to  Bofton, — with  the  bearers,  as  pci- 
foners  5  that -the  captain  exulted  much  in  "the  difcovtries  he 
had  made  :  and  my  informer  (who  was  alfo  in  the  boat,  but  rc-» ; 
leafed)  underftood  them  to  be  letters  of  confequence.  I  have 
therefore  difpatched  the  exprefs  immediately  back,  though  I 
had  before  refolved  to  detain  him  till  Feffenden's  return.  J,x 
(hall  be  anxious  till  I  am  relieved^from  the  fufpenfe  I  am  in,  as 
to  the  contents  of  thole  letters. 

It  is  exceedingly  unfortunate  that  ge«tlemen  (hould  cliufe  to 
travel  the  only  road  on  which  there  .is  danger.  Let  the  event; 
of  this  be  what  it  wilL  I  hope  it  will  fe.rve  as  a  general  caution 
againft  trufting  any  letters  that  way  in  future. 

Nothing  oF  confequence  has  occurred  in  camp  thsfe  two 
days. — The  inhabitants  of  Bojlon  continue  coming  out  at 

CheU 


24  GENERAL  WASHINGTON'* 

Chelfea,  bur  under  a  new  reftri&icn,  tliat  no  men  fhall  come 
out  without  fpecial  licence,  which  is  refufed  to  all  mechanics, 
£nce  the  tory  laborers  were  taken  at  the  liglit-houfe.  I  have 
the  honor  to  be,  &c.  G.  W. 


[The  following  letter  bears  no  date,  but  appears  to   have  been 
written  on  or  about  the  twenty-Jtxth  of  Augujl^  I77J.J 

SIR, 

THE  inctofed  letter  came  under  fuch  a  direction  and  cir- 
cumftances,  as  led  me  to  fuppofe  it  contained  fome  intereiling 
advices,  either  refpecling  a  fupply  of  powder,  or  the  clothing 
lately  taken  at  Philadelphia.  I  therefore  took  the  liberty  of 
breaking  the  feal,  for  which  I  hope  the  fervice  and  my  motives 
will  apologize. 

As   the  filling  up  the  place  of  vacant  brigadier-general  will 
probably  be  of  the  firft  bufinefs  of  the   honorable    Congrefs.  I 
Sitter  myfelf  it  will  not  be  deemed  aifuming,   to  mention,  the 
names  of  two  gentleman,  whofe  former  fervices,  rank  and  age, 
i&ay  be  thought  worthy  of  attention  on  this  occafion.    The  for- 
mer is  colonel  John  Armftrong,   of  Pennfylvania :  he  ferved  du- 
ring the  lali  war,  in  moll  of  the  campaigns  to  the  fouthxvard  j 
was  honored  with  the  command   of  the    Pennfylvania  forces, 
and  his  general  military  conduct  and  fpirit  much  approved   by 
all  who  ferved  with  him  :   befides  which,  his  character  was  dif- 
tihguifhed  by  an  enterprife  againfl  the  Indians,  which  he  plan- 
ned with  great  judgment,  and  executed  with  equal  courage  and 
faccefs.     It  was  not  till  lately  that  I  had  reafon  to   believe  he 
would  enter   again  on  public  fervice  5  and  it  is  now  wholly  un* 
Solicited  and  unknown  on  his  part.    The  other  gentleman  is  co- 
lonel Fry,  of  Maffachufetts-Bay.     He  entered  into  the  fervice 
us  early  as  1745,  and  rofe  through  the  different  military  ranks, 
m  the  fucceeding  wars,  to  that  of  colonel,  until  lair.  June,  when 
he  was  appointed  major-general  by  the  Congrefs  of  this  province. 
From  thefe  circumstances,   together  with  the  favorable   report 
made  to  me  of  him,   I  prefumtf  he  fuflain^d  the  character  of  a 
good  officer,  though  I  do  not  find  it  diftinguiftied  by  any  pecu- 
liar fervice. 

Either  of  thefe  gentlemen,  or  any  other  whom  the  honorable 
Congrefs  fliall  pleafe  to  favor  with  this  appointment,  will  be 
received  by  me  with  the  utmoft  deference  and  refpedl. 

The 


I  A  L  L  E  T  T  E  R  S.  35 

The  late  adjournment  having  made  it  impracticable  to  know 
the  pleafure  of  the  Congrefs  as  to  the  appointment  of  brigade- 
majors,  beyond  the  number  of  three  which  they  were  pleafed 
to  leave  me,— and  the  fervice  not  admitting  of  farther  delay, — I 
have  continued  the  other  three  j  which  I  hope  their  honors  will 
not  difapprove.  Thefe  latter  were  recommended  -by  the  refpec- 
tive  corps  to  which  they  belong,  as  the  propereft  perfons  for 
thefe  offices,  until  farther  direction,  and  have  difcharged  the  du- 
ty ever  fince.  They  are  the  majors  Box,  Samuel,  and  Samuel 
Brewer. 

Laft  faturday  night  we  took  pofleflion  of  a  hill  confiderably 
advanced  beyond  our  former  lines ;  which  brought  on  a  very 
heavy  cannonade  from  Bunker's  hill,  and  afterwards  a  bombard- 
ment, which  has  been  fince  kept  up  with  little  fpirit  on  their 
part,  or  damage  on  ours.  The  work  having  been  continued  c- 
ver  fince,  is  now  fo  advanced,  and  the  men  fo  well  covered,  as 
to  leave  us  under  no  apprehenlions  of  much  farther  lofs.  In 
this  affair,  we  had  killed — one  adjutant,  one  volunteer,  and  two 
privates.  The  fcarcity  of  ammunition  does  not  admit  of  our 
availing  ourfelves.of  the  fituation,  as  we  othertvife  might  do: 
but  this  evil,  I  hope,  will  foon  be  remedied,  as  I  have  been  in- 
formed of  the  arrival  of  a  large  quantity  at  New-York,  fomc 
at  New-London,  and  more  hourly  expecled  at  different  places. 
I  need  not  add  to  what  I  have  already  faid  on  this  fubjecl. — 
Our  late  fupply  was  very  feafonable,  but  far  fhort  of  our  neceffi- 
lies. 

The  late  adjournment  of  the  honorable  Congrefs  having  been 
made  before  my  letter  of  the  fourth  inftant  was  received,  I  mull 
tfow  beg  leave  to  recall  their  attention  to  thofe  parts  of  it  which 
fefpecl  the  provifion  for  the  winter,  the  reduction  of  the  troops, 
the  double  commitlions  under  different  eftablimments,  and  colo- 
nel Gridley's  appointment  of  major-gene^l ;  in  all  which,  I 
hope  to  be  honored  with  their  commands  as  foon  as  poffible. 

The  advocate-general  has  fent  me  a  memorial  refpe&ing  his 
fervice,  which  I  have  the  honor  to  inclofe  (No.  i)  :  and  from 
the  variety  and  multiplicity  of  duty  in  a  new  army,  as  well  as  his 
regular  fervice  and  attendance,  I  am  induced  to  recommend 
him  to  the  farther  nofice  of  the  honorable  Congrefs. 

1  he  treatment  of  our  officers,  prifoners  at  Bofton,  induced 
me  to  write  to  general  Gage  on  that  fubjecl:.  His  anfwer  and 


my  reply  I  have  the  honor  to  lay  before  the  Congrefs,  in  the 
iTiclofures  No.  2,  3,  4  j"  fince  which  I  have  heard  nothing  from 
him. 

*T  remain,  with  the  greateft  refpeft  rfnd  regard,  &c.     G.  W, 

D  To 


26  GENERAL  WASHINGTON  s 


To  the  Honorable  PETER  VANBRUGH  LIVINTQ-TONT,  Efq. 
of  the  Provincial  Convention,  New-York. 


SIR,  Camf>  at  Cambridge,  jZugitfl,  30,  1775. 

*  *  *  MR.  Livingiton  and  fome  other  gentlemen  from 
your  city  brought  us  the  acceptable  news  of  the  fafe  arrival  of 
a  large  quantity  of  powder,  and  "five  hundred  Hand  of  arms. 
On.r  fituatkm  is  fuch  as  requires  your  immediate  affirmance  and 
fupply  in  that  article.  We  have  lately  taken  poiTcffion  of  a  lull 
confiderably  advanced  towards  the  enemy;  but  our  pcveity 
prevents  our  availing  ourfelves  of  any  advantage  of  fituatipa. 
1  mult  therefore  moll  earnestly  entreat  that  meafures  may  be 
taken  to  forward  to  this  camp,  in  the  moft  fafe  and  expeditious 
manner,  whatever  ammunition  can  be  fpared  from  the  immetfi- 
ate  and  neceflary  defence  of  the  province.  The  value  of  what- 
ever-may be  fent  in  confequence  of  this  requeft,  will  be  paid  by  or- 
der from  hence  when  delivered,  or  negotiated  with  the  honorable 
continental  Congrefs  at 'Philadelphia,  as  may  be  agreed  with  th" 
proprietors.  I  only  requeft  that  no  time  may  be  loft  through 
any  fuch  difficulties,  as  our  fituation  is  fo  critical,  and  the  exi- 
gence fo  great.  The  mode  of  conveyance  I  muft  leave  with 
the  provincial  Congrefs,  or  the  committee  of  the, city.  I  doubt 
not  they  will  take  every  precaution  to  make  it  fafe  and  expedi- 
tious.— I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &.c.  G.  W, 


SIR,  Catnp  at  Cambridge,  Sept.  7,  1775. 

I  DO  myfelf  the  honor  of  addrefling  you  in  confequence 
of  an  application  from  the  commiiTary-general,  who  is,  by  my 
direction,  taking  a\|  proper  precautions  on  the  approach  of  win- 
ter. I  defired  him  to  commit  to  writing  fuch  propoials  a?  his 
experience  and  knowledge  of  the  country  might  entitle  him  to 
make  ;  w^ich  he  has  done  in  the  paper  which  I  have  the  hen ::' 
to  inclofei  The  difficulty  of  procuring  a  fufficient  quantity  ot 
fait,  which.  I  had  obje&ed  to  him,  he  has  fully  obviated,  by  af- 
furing  me  that  there  is  fo  much  now  acl^aily  in  (lore,  in  tai.s 
aivd  the  neighboting  towns,  as  will  remove  all  poiTibility  of  a 
dif  appointment. 

I  propofe  to  do  myfelf  the  honor  of  writing,  in  a  few  day$, 
fully  and  particularly  on  feveral  heads,  to  which  I  mull  now  re- 
fer. In  the  mean  time,  I  have  only  to  inform  the  honorable 
Cotigreis,  that  I  have  received  a  fmall  fupply  of  feren  thoufand 

nounds 


©  y  F  I  C  I  A  L   L  E  T-T  E  R  S. 

pounds  of  powder  this  week  from  Rhode-Ifland,  and  in  a  few 
days  .expect  feven  tons  of  lead,  and  five  hundred  ftand  of  arms, 
a  part  of  the  lame  importation  ;  and  to  requeil  that  more  mo- 
ney maybe  forwarded  with  all  expedition,  the  military  elicit 
being  nearly  exhaufted. 

I  am,  with  the  greateft  refpeft,  &c.  G.  W. 


.fcrrr,  v.  i-  •'••-•$  \  j*  -  V  •.*-""  -:  i  **-  ""'•''>  „  \ 

SIR,  Camp  at  Cambridge  >  &/>t.   21,   1775. 

1  HAVE  been  ia  daily  expedation  of  bring  favoured 
vrith  the  commands  of  the  honorable  Congrefs,  en  the  fubjecl 
of  my  two  laft  letters.  The  feafon.now  advances  fo  fait,  that 
I  cannot  any  longer  defer  laying  before  them  fuch  farther  mea- 
iVres  as  rec^uire  their  immediate  attention,  and  in  which  I  wait 
their  direction.  J_  •' 

Ths  mode  in  which  the  prefe.pt  army  has  been  collected  has 
occafioned  Tome  difRculty  in  procuring  the  fubfcriptioil  of  both  ' 
officers  and  foldiers  to  the  continental  articles  of  war.  Their 
principal  objection  has  been,  that  it  might  fubje'ct  therh  to  long- 
er fervice  than  that  for  whick  they  engaged  under  their  levt- 
ial  provincial  eftabliihments.  It  is  in  vain  to  attempt  to  rea- 
IPQ  avvay  the  prejudices  of"  a  whole  army  :  *  *  *  I  hav  : 
therefore  forborn  prefling  them,  as  I  did  not  ^xperience  any 
inch  inconvenience  from  their  adherence  to  their  former  rule  ;, 
as  would  warrant  the  rifk  of  entering  into  a  cotiteft  upon  it  j 
more  especially  as  the  rdlraints,-neceffaxy  for  the  eftablithment 
of  efTential  diicipline  and  fubordination,  indifpofed  their  minds  • 
to  every  change,  and  made  it  both  duty  and  policy  to  intro- 
duce as  little  novelty  as  pofiible,  With  the  prefent  a-rmy,  I 
fear  fuch  a  fubfcription  is  impracticable  :  but  the  difficulty  will 
ceafe  with  this  army.  ^  i 

The  ConneiUcut  and   Rhode-Ifland   troops  ftand  engaged  to  ' 
the  iirit  of  December  only  ;  and  none  longer  than  the  firft  'df;c 
January.     A  diflfolution   of  the   prefent   army  therefore    will" 
take  place,  unlcfs  fome  early  provifion  is  made  againft-fuch  an  I 
event.     Moft  of  the  general  officers  are  of  opinion  the   greater 
part  of  them  may  be-  r^-enlifted  for  the  winter,  or  another  cam- 
paign, with  the  indulgence  of^a  furlough  to   viiit  their  friends,  • 
which   may  be   regulated   fo  as  not  to  endanger   the    fervice. 
How  far  it  may  be  proper  to  form  the  new    army  entirely   out 
ofthe  old,  for.  another  campaign,  rather  than  from  the  contin- 
.;;onts  of  the  leveral  provinces,  is  a  queftion  which  involves  in 
it  -too  flaany  confklerations  of  policy  and  prudence,   for  me   to 

undcr« 


58  GENERAL  WASHINGTON'S 

undertake  to  decide.  Jt  appears  to  be  impoflible  to  draw  it 
from  any  other  fource  than  the  old  army,  for  this  winter  :  and, 
as  the  pay  is  ample,  I  hope  a  fufficient  number  will  engage  in 
the  fervice  for  that  time  at  leaft.  But  there  are  various  opini  - 
ons  of  the  temper  of  the  men  on  the  fubj«6l  ;  and  there  may  be 
great  hazard  in  deferring  the  trial  fo  long. 

In  the  continental  eftablimment,  no  provifion  has  been  made 
for  the  pay  of  artificers,  diftinct  from  that  of  the  common  fol- 
diers  j  whereas,  under  the  provincial,  fuch  as  found  their  own 
tools,  were  allowed  one  {hilling  per  diem  advance,  and  particu- 
lar artifans,  more.  The  pay  of  the  artillery  alfo  now  differs 
from  that  of  the  province  5  the  men  have  lefs,  the  officers 
more  5  and,  for  fome  ranks,  no  provifion  is  made,  as  the  Con- 
grefs  will  pleafe  to  obferve  by  the  lift  which  I  have  the  honor 
to  inclofe  (No.  i).  Thefe  particulars,  though  feemingly  in- 
confiderable/  are  the  fource  of  much  complaint  and  diffatisfacti- 
on,  which  I  endeavour  to  compofe  in  the  beft  manner  I  am 
able. 

By  the  returns  of  the  rifle  companies,  and  that  battalion,  they 
appear  to  exceed  their  eftablifhment  very  confiderably.  I 
doubt  my  authority  to  pay  thefe  extra  men  without  the  direcli- 
on  of  the  Congrefs  .  but  it  would  be  deemed  a  great  hardfhip, 
wholly  to  refufe  them,  as  they  have  been  encouraged  to  come. 

The  neceflities  of  the  troops  having  required  pay,  I  directed 
that  thofe  of  the  Maffachufetts  mould  receive  for  one  month  up- 
on their  being  muftered,  and  returning  a  proper  roll :  but  a 
claim  was  immediately  made  for  pay  by  lunar  months  j  and  fe- 
veral  regiments  have  declined  taking  up  their  warrants  on  this 
account.  As  this  practice  was  entirely  new  to  me,  though  faid 
to  be  warranted  by  former  ufage,  here  the  matter  now  waits  the 
determination  of  tl\e  honorable  Congrefs.  I  find,  in  Connecti- 
cut and  Rhode-Ifland,  this  point  was  fettled  by  calendar 
months  ;  in  Maffachufetts,  though  mentioned  in  Congrefs,  it 
was  left  undetermined  j  which  is  alfo  the  cafe  of  New-Hamp- 
ftiire. 

The  inclofure  No.  2,  is  a  petition  from  the  fubalterns,  refpedl- 
ing  their  pay.  Where  there  are  only  twr,  of  thefe  in  a  compa- 
ny, I  have  confidered  one  as  an  enfign,  and  ordered  him  pay  as 
fuch,  as  in  the  Connecticut  forces.  I  muft  beg  leave  to  recom- 
mend this  petition  to  the  favour  of  the  Congrefs  :  as  I  am  of  o- 
pinion  the  allowance  is  inadequate  to  their  rank  and  fervice, 
and  is  one  great  fource,  of  that  familiarity  between  the  officers 
and  men,  which  is  fo  incompatible  with  fubordination  and  difci- 
pline.  Many  valuable  officers  of  thofe  ranks,  finding  themfelvcs 

usable 


OFFICIAL    LETTERS.  ^ 

unable  to  fupport  the  character  and  appearance  of  officers,  (I  am 
informed)  will  retire  as  focin  as  the  terra  of  fervice  is  expired, 
if  there  is  no  alteration, 

For  the  better  regulation  of  duty,  I  found  it  neceffary  to  fet- 
tle the  rank  of  the  officers,  and  to  number  the  regiments  j  and, 
as  I  had  not  received  the  commands  of  the  Congrefs  on  the 
fiibjeft,  and  the  exigence  of  the  fervice  forbade  any  farther  de- 
Jay,  the  general  officers  were  conlidered  as  having  no  regi- 
ments,— an  alteration,  which,  I  underiland,  is  not  pleafing  to 
ibme  of  them,  but  appeared  to  me  and  others  to  be  proper, 
when  it  was  conlidered,  that,  by  this  means,  the  whole  army  is 
put  upon  one  footing,  and  all  particular  attachments  diffolved. 

Among  many  other  conliderations  which  the  approach  of 
winter  will  demand,  that  of  clothing  appears  to  rje  one  of  the 
moil  important.  So  far  as  regards  the  prefervation  of  the  ar- 
my from  cold,  they  maybe  deemed  in  a  ilate  of  nakednefs.  Ma- 
ny of  the  men  have  been  without  blankets  the  whole  cam- 
paign :  and  thofe  which  have  been  in  ufe  during  the  fummer, 
are  fo  much  worn  as  to  be  of  little  fervice.  In  order  to  make 
a  fuitable  provifion  in  thefe  articles,  and  at  the  fame  time  to 
guard  the  public  againfi  impontion-and  expenfe,  it  feems  necef- 
fary .to  determine  the  mode  of  continuing  the  army  :  for,  mould 
thefe  troops  be  clothed  under  their  prefent  engagement,  and  at 
the  expiration  of  the  term  of  fervice,  decline  renewing  it,  a  fet 
of  unprovided  men  may  be  fent  to  fupply  their  places. 

I  cannot  fuppofe  it  to  be  unknown  to  the  honorable  Congrefs 
that,  in  all  armies,  it  is  an  eftabliihed  pra&ice.  to  make  an  al- 
lowance to  officers,  of  provifions  and  forage,  proportionate  to 
their  rank.  As  fuch  an  allowance  formed  no  part  of  the  con- 
tinental eftablilhment,  I  have  hitherto  forborn  to  iflue  the  or- 
ders for  that  purpofe  ;  but,  as  it  is  a  received  opinion  of  fuch 
members  of  the  Congrefs  as  I  have  had  an*  opportunity  of  con- 
fulting,  as  well  as  throughout  the  army,  that  it  muft  be  deem- 
ed  a  matter  of  courfe  and  implied  in  the  eftabliihment  of  the 
army,  I  have  directed  the  following  proportion  of  rations,  being 

the  fame  allowed  in  the  American  armies  laft  war  :- major- 

geneial,  fifteen  -7  brigadier-general,  twelve  5  colonel  fix  ;  lieu- 
tenant-colonel, five  j  major,  four  j  captain,  three  j  fubaitern, 
two  j  flaflf,  two. 

If  thefe  mould  not  be  approved  by  the  honorable  Congrefa, 
they  will  pleafe  to  fignify  their  pleafure,  as  to  the  alterations 
they  would  have  made  in  the  whole  or  in  part. 

I  am  now  to  inform  the  honorable  Congrefs,  that,  encourag- 
ed by  the  repeated  declarations  of  the  Canadians  and  Indians, 

and 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON'* 

and  urged  by  their  requefts,  I  have  detached  colonel  Arnold 
\rith  a  thoufaad  men,  to  penetrate  into  Canada  by  way  of  Ken- 
uebeck  river,  and,  if  poffible,  to  make  himfe  If  m  after  of  Quebec. 
By  this  mancevre,  I  propofed  either  to  divert  Carleton  from 
St.  Johns,  which  would  leave  a  free  paiTage  to  general  Schuyler  j 
—or,  if  this  did  not  take  effecl,  Quebec,  in  its  prefent  defence- 
lefs  ilate,  mull  fall  into  his  hands  an  eafy  piey.  I  made  all  pof- 
iible  enquiry,  as  to  the  diilance,  the  fafety  of  the  route,  and  the 
danger  of  the  feafon  being  too  far  advanced  5  but  found  nothing 
in  either,  to  deter  me  from  proceeding,  more  efpecially  as  it 
met  with  very  general  approbation  from  all  whom  I  confulted 
upon  it.  But,  $hat  nothing  might  be  omitted,  to  enable  me  to 
jijdge  of  its  propriety  and  probable  confequences,  I  communi- 
cated it  by  exprefs  to  general  Schuyler,  who  approved  of  it  in, 
fuch  terms,  that  I  refolved  to  put  it  in  immediate  execution.  They 
have  now  left  this  place  fevendays  j  and,  if  favored  with  a  good 
\vind, -I  hope  foon  to  hear  of  their  being  fafe  at  Kennebeck  river. 
£or  the  fatisfa&ion  of  the  Congreis,  I  here  inclofe  a  copy  of 
the  propofed  route  (No.  3).  I  alfo  do  myfelf  the  honor  of  in- . 
doling  a  manifesto,  which  I  caufed  to  be  printed  here,  and  oiL 
•which  colonel  Arnold  has  taken  a  fuitable  number  with  him. 
This  is  the  ipelo.furej  (No.  4.)  I  have  alfo  forwarded  a  copy 
cf  his  initru&ions  (No.  5): — from  all  which,  1  hope  the  Con- 
grefs  will  have  a  clear  view  of  the  motives,  plan,  and  intended 
execution  of  this  enterprifr,  and  that  I  fliall  be  ib  happy  as  to  . 
aiiect  with  their  approbation  in  it. 

I  was  the  more  .induced  to  make  this  detachment,  as  it  is  my. 
clear  opinion,  from  a  careful  obfcrvation  of  the  movements  of 
the  enemy,  .corroborated  by  all  the  intelligence  we  receive  by 
deferters  and  others,  (of  the  former  of  whom  we  have  fome  e- 
very  day) -that  the  enemy  have  no  intention  to  come  out,  until 
they  are  reinforced.  H  They  have  beea  wholly  employed  for 
fome  time  paii  in  procuring  materials  for  bai.'acks,  fuel,  and 
making  other  preparations  for  winter.  Thefe  circumftances, 
with  the  conffcant  additions  to  their  works  which  are  apparently 
defenfive,  have  led  to  the  above  cbncluiion,  and  enabled  me  to 
fpare  this  body  of  men  where  I  hope  they  will  be  ufefully  and 
fuccefsfully  employed. 

The  ftate  of  inactivity,  in  which  this  army  has  lain  for  fome 
time,  by  no  means  correfponds  with  my  wifh.es,  by  fome  decinve 
fuoke  to  relieve  my  country  from  the  heavy  expenfe  its  fub- 
-iiilence  mull  create.  After  frequently  reconnoitering  the  fitua- 
tion  of  the  enemy  in  the  town  of  Bofton,  collecling  all  pofTible 
intelligence,  and  digefiing'the  -whole,  a  furprife  did  hot  appear 

to 


C  I  A  L   LETTERS,  •& 

to  me  wholly  Jmpraftible,  though  hazardous.  I  coriimunieated 
it  to  the  general  officers  fome  days  before  I  called  them  to  s 
council,  that  thy  might  be  prepared  with  their  opinions*.  The 
reiult  I  have  the  honor  of  inclolrng  (No.  6.)  I  cannot  fay  that 
I  have  \vholly  laid  it  afide  :  but  new  events  may  occafion  new 
meafures.  Of  this  I  hope  the  honorable  Congrefs  can  need  no 
affurance,  that  there  is  not  a  man  in  America  who  more  ear- 
neftly  wiihes  fuch  a  termination  of  the  campaign,  as  to  make 
the  army  no  longer  neceffary.  -'  j 

The  feafon  advances  fo  faft,  that  I  have  given  orders  to  pre- 
pare barracks  and  other  accommodations  for  the  winter.  Th* 
great  fcarcity  of  tow-cloth  in  this  country,  I  fear,  will  totally 
difappoint  us  in  our  expectations  of  procuring  huntrng-fhirts. 
Governor  Cooke  informs  me,  few  or  none  are  to  be  had  in 
Rhode-Ifland  5  and  governor  Trurabull  gives  me  little  encou- 
ragement to  expert  many  from  Connecticut. 

I  have  filled  up  the  office  of  quarter-mailer-general  which  the 
Congrefs  was  pleafed  to  leave  to  me,  by  the  appointment  of  ma- 
jor Mifflin,  which  I  hope  and  believe  will  be  univerfally  accept- 
able. 

It  gives  me  great  pain  to  be  obliged  to  folicit  the  attention 
of  the  honorable  Congrefs  to  the  itate  of  this  army,  in  terms 
which  imply  the  flighted  apprehenfion  of  being  neglected.  Bur. 
my  lituaticn  is  inexpreflibly  diftreffmg,  to  fee  the  winter  fait 
approaching  upon  a  naked  army  -?  the  time  of  their  fervice  with- 
in a  few  weeks  of  expiring  ,  and  no  provilion  yet  made  for  fuch 
important  events.  Added  to  thefe,  the  military  cheft  is  totally 
exhaufted  :  the  paymaiter  has  not  a  {Ingle  dollar  in  hand  :  the 
commiffary-general  allures  me  he  has  flrained  his  credit,  for  the 
fubfiftence  of  the  army,  to  the  utmofl.  The  quarter-maiter-ge- 
neral  is  precifely  in  the  fame  fituation  ;  and  trie  greater  part  of 
the  troops  not  far  from  mutiny,  upon  the  deduction  of  their  fta- 
ted  allowance.  I  know  not  to  whom  I  arn  to  impute  this  fai- 
lure :  but  I  am  of  opinion,  if  the  evil  is  not  immediately  reme- 
died, and  more  punctually  .obferved  in  future,  the  army  muft 
abfolutely  break  up.  1  hope  I  have  fo  fully  expreffed  myfelf 
on  this  fubjecl  (bojth^by  letter,  and  to  thofe  members  of  the 
Congrefs  who  honored  the  camp  with  a  vifitj,  that  no  difap- 
pointment  could  poflibly  happen  :  I  therefore  hourly  expected 
advice  from  the  paymafter  that  he  had  received  a  frefh,  fup- 
ply,  in  addition  to  {he  hundred  and  feventy-two  thoufand  dol- 
lars delivered  him  in  Augult  ;  and  thought  myfelf  warranted 
to  affure  the  public  creditors  that  in  a  few  days  they  iliould  be 
fatisfied.  But  the  delay -hay  brought  matters  to  fuc.h  %  crifis, 

«j »  as 


32  GENERAL  WASHINGTON'S 

as  admits  of  no  further  uncertain  expectation.  I  have  •tlierefor-e 
fcnt  off  this  exprefs,  with  orders  to  make  all  poiTible  difpatch. 
It  is  my  moft  earnell  requeil  that  he  may.be  returned  with  all 
poffible  expedition,  unlefs  the  honorable  C.qngrefs  have  already 
forwarded  what  is  fo  indifpenfably  neceiTary. 

1  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c.  G.  W. 


.SiR,  Cam/)  at  Cambridge ,  Sept.  30,    1777. 

THE  reverend  Mr.  Kirk-land,  the  bearer  of  this,  having 
been  introduced  to.  the  honorable  Congrefs,  can  need  no  parti- 
cular recommendation  from  me.  But  as  he  now  willies  to 
have  the  affairs  of  his  million  and  public  employ  put  upon  fome 
fuitable  footing,  I  cannot  but  intimate  my  fenfe  of  the  import- 
ance of  his  fhtion,  and  the  great  advantages  which  have  and 
may  refult  to  the  United  Colonies,  from  his  ntuation  being  made 
refpeclable. 

All  accounts  agree  that  much  of  the  favorable  difpofi-tion, 
fhewn  by  the  Indians,  may  be  afcribed  to  liis  labor  and  influ- 
ence. He  has  accompanied  a  chief  of  the  Oneidas  to  this 
camp,  which  I  have  endeavored  to  make  agreeable  to  him, 
both  by  civility  arid  fome  fmall  prefents.  Mr.  Kirkland  bein^ 
alfo  in  fome  neceffity  for  money  to  bear  his  travelling  charges 
and  other  expenfes,  I  have  fupplied  him  with  thirty-two  pounds 
lawful  money. 

I  cannot  but  congratulate  the  honorable  Congiefs  on  tfie  hap- 
py temper  of  the  Canadians  and  Indians,  "our  accounts  of  which 
are  now  fully  confirmed  by  fome  intercepted  letters  from  offi- 
cers in  Canada,  to  general  Gage  and  others  in  Bofton,  which  were 
found  on  board  the  veiTel  'lately  taken,  going  into  Bofton  with 
a  donation  of  cattle  and  other  frefh  proviiions  for  the  minified- 
al  army. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c.  G.  W. 


SIR,  Camp  at  Cambridg?)  Qtf.  5,  1775, 

I  WAS  honored  with  your  iavor  o£  tlie  tvventy-fixth  ul- 
timo, late  the  night  before  laft  ;  and  a  meeting  of  the  general 
officers  having  been  called  upon  a  bufinefs  which  will  rnake^a 
€onlider.able  part  of  this  letter,  I  took  the  opportunity  of  lay- 
ing before  triem  thofe  parts. of  yours  which  reipccl  the  continu- 
ance and  new-modelling  of  the  army,  the  fuel,  clothing,  and 
;  for.  the;  eiiiuing  whiter,  Xh<-y  havp  taken 

two 


OFFICIAL    LETTERS.  33 

two  or  three  days  to  conlider  ;  and,  as  foon  as  I  am  pofleffcd  of 
their  opinions,  L  {hall  lofe  no  time  in  tranfmitting  the  refult, 
not  only  on  the  above  fubje&s,  but  the  number  of  troops  ne- 
celTary  to  be  kept  up. 

I  have  alfo  directed  the  commiiTary-general  and  the  quar- 
ter mailer-general  to  prepare  eilimates  01  the  expenfe  of  their 
departments  for  a  certain  given  number  of  men,  from  which  a 
judgment  may  be  made,  when  the  number  of  men,  to  be  kept 
in  pay  is  determined  :— all  which  I  (hall  do  myfelf  tht  honor 
to  lay  before  the  Congrefs,  as  foon  as  they  are  ready. 

I  have  now  a  painful,  though  a.  necefifary  duty  to  perform,  re- 
fpe6ting  Dr.   Church,  director-general  of  the  hofpital.      About 
a.  week  ago,  Mr.  fecretary  Ward  of  Providence,   fent  up  to  me 
one  Wainwood,  an  inhabitant  of  Newport,  with  a  letter  direct- 
ed to  major  Cane  in  Bofton,   in    {accult~\  characters,   which   he 
faid  had  been  left  with  Wainwood  fome  time  ago,  by  a  womaa 
who  was  kept  by  Dr.  Church.      She  had  before  preffed  Wain- 
wood  to  take  her  to  captain  Wallace,   Mr.  Dudley  the  collec- 
tor, or  George  Rome  ;  which  he  declined.    She  then  gave  him 
the  letter,  with  a  itrict   charge  to  deliver  it  to  either  of  thofe 
gentlemen.    He    fufpecUng  fome  improper  correfpondence,  kept 
the  letter,  and  after  fome  time  opened  it ;    but,   not  being  able 
la  read  it,  laid  -it  up,   where  it   remained  until   he  received   an 
obfcure  letter  from  the  woman,   expreffing  an  anxiety  after  the 
original  letter.     He  then  communicated  the  whole   matter    to 
JVir.  Ward,  who  fent  him  up  with  the  papers  to  me.     I  imme- 
diately fecured  the   woman  :  but  for  a  long  time  the  was   proof 
againil    every  threat   and    perfuaiicri  to    difcover    the    author, 
-ilowever,  at  length  (he  was  brought  to  a  confeffion,  and  named 
-^r.   Church.      I  then  immediately  iecuied  him    and    all  hi,?  pa- 
pers.     Upon  his  firlt  examination,  he  readily  acknowledged  the 
letter,  faid  it  was  defigned  for  his  brother  Fleming,    and,    \vheu 
deciphered,   would  be  found  to  contain  nothing   criminal.      He 
acknowledged   his  never  having  communicated  the   correfpond- 
ence  to   any  perfon  here  but  the  girl,  and  made  many  proteila- 
tions  of  the  purity  of  his  intentions.    Having  found  a  perfon  ca- 
pable of  deciphering  the  letter,  I,  in  the  mean  time,  had  all  his 
papers  fearehed,   but  found  nothing  criminal  among  them  ;   but 
it   appeared  on  enquiry,   that   a    confident   ha<i  been  among  the 
papers  before  my  meffenger  arrived.      I    then   called  the  gene- 
ral  officers    together   for  their  advice,  the  refult  of  which  you 
will  find  in  the  incloiure,  No   I.      The  deciphered  letter  is  the 
incloiurc,  No   2.      The  army  and  country  are  exceedingly  irri- 
t:.^d  :  and  upon  a  free  difcufiioa  of  the  nature,   circumitances, 

£  and 


34  GENERAL   WASHINGTON'* 

and  confequence  of  this  matter,  it  has  been  unamrooufiy  agreed 
to  lay  it  before  the  honorable  Congrefs  for  their  fpecial  advice 
and  direction ;  at  the  fame  time  fuggcfting  to  their  confidera- 
tion,  whether  an  alteration  of  the  twenty-eighth  article  of  war 
may  not  be  neceiTary. 

As  I  {hall  referve  all  further  remarks  upon  the  flate  of  the 
army  till  my  next,  I  (hall  now  beg  leave  to  reqaeft  the  deter- 
mination of  Congrefs,  as  to  the  property  and  difpofal  of  fuch 
veffels  and  cargoes  as  are  deiigned  for  the  fupply  of  the  enemy, 
and  may  fall  into  our  hands.  There  has  been  an  event  of  this 
kind  at  Portfmouth  (as  by  the  inclofure,  No.  3),  in  which  I 
have  directed  the  cargo  to  be  brought  hither  for  the  ufe  of  the 
army,  referving  the  fettlement  of  any  claims  of  capture  to  the 
decilion  of  Congrefs. 

As  there  are  many  unfortunate  individuals  \vhofe  property 
has  been  confifcated  by  the  enemy,  I  would  humbly  fuggeft  to 
the  confideration  of  Congrefs  the  humanity  of  applying,  in  part 
or  in  the  whole,  fuch  captures  to  the  relief  of  thofe  fuiferers, 
after  compensating  any  expenfe  of  the  captors,  and  for  their  ac- 
tivity and  fpirit.  I  am  the  more  induced  to  requeft  this  deter- 
mination may  be  fpeedy,  as  I  have  directed  three  veffels  to  be 
equipped  in  order  to  cut  off  the  fupplies  ;  and,  from  the  num- 
ber of  veffels  hourly  arriving,  it  may  become  an  object  of  fome 
importance.  In  the  difpofal  of  thefe  captures,  for  the  encou- 
ragement of  the  officers  and  men,  I  have  allowed  them  one- 
third  of  the  cargoes,  except  military  ftores,  which,  with  the 
veflels,  are  to  be  referved  for  the  public  ufe.  I  hope  my  plan, 
as  well  as  the  execution,  will  be  favored  with  the  approbation 
of  Ccngrefs. 

One  Mr.  Fifk,  an  intelligent  perfon,  came  out  of  Boiton  on 
the  third  inftant,  and  gives  us  the  following  advices  : — that  a, 
fleet,  confirming  of  a  fixty-four,  and  twenty-gun  (hip,  two  Hoops 
of  eighteen  guns,  and  two  tranfports  with  fix  hundred  men, 
\v-ere  to  fail  from  Bofton  as  yefterday  ;  that  they  took  on 
board  two  mortars,  four  hotvitzers,  and  other  artillery,  calcu- 
lated for  the  bombardment  of  a  town  : — their  destination  was 
kept  a  profound  fecret : — that  an  expre/v-loop  of  war,  which 
left  England  the  eighth  Auguft,  arrived  four  days  ago  j — that 
general  Gage  is  recalled,  and  laft  funday  resigned  his  command 
to  general  Howe  j — that  Lord  Percy,  colonel  Smith,  and  other 
officers  who  xvere  at  Lexington,  are  ordered  home  with  Gage  ; 
—that  fix  {hips  of  the  line  and  two  cutters  were  coming  out 
under  fir  Peter  Dennis  j — that  five  regiments  and  a  thoufancl 
marines  are  ordered  out,  and  may  be  expected  in  three  or  four 


Q  F  F  I  C  I  A  L    £  ^  T-T  E  R.S.  ^ 

weeks  ; — no  profpecl:  of  accommodation  j  but  the  miniftry  de- 
termined to  pu(h  the  war  to  the  utmoft. 

I  have  an  exprefs  from  colonel  Arnold,  and  herewith  fend 
a  copy  of  his  letter  and  an  inclofure,  No.  4  and  5. — I  am  har- 
py in  finding  he  meets  with  no  .discouragement. —The  claim  cf 
the  rifle  officers,  to  be  independent;  of  all  the  fuperior  officer? ., 
except  colonel  Arnold,  is  without  any  countenance  or  autho- 
rity from  me,  as  I  have  fignified  in  my  laft  difpatch  both  to 
colonel  Arnold  and  captain  Morgan. — The  captain  Q.f  the  brig 
from  Quebec  for  Bofton,  informs  me,  that  there  is  rio  fufpicicii 
of  any  fuch  expedition  5  and  that,  if  Carleton  is  not  drvien  from 
St.  John's,  fo  as  to  be  obliged  to  throw  himfelf  into  Quebec, 
it  muft  fall  into  our  hands,  as  it  is  left  without  a  regular  fol- 
dier,  and  many  of  the  inhabitants  are  moil  favourably  difpofed 
to  the  American  caufe  j — and  that  there  is  the  largcil  ftock  of 
ammunition  ever  collected  in  America. 

In  the  above  veffel  fome  letters-  were  alfo  found,  from  an 
officer  at  Quebec,  to  general  Gage  and  major  Sheriff  at  Bof- 
ton, containing  fuch  an  account  of  the  temper  of  the  Canadi- 
ans, as  cannot  but  afford  the  higheil  fatisfaclion.  1  have 
thought  it  beft  to  forward  them:  they  are  the  inclofures,  No. 
6  and  7. 

I  aro,  with  the  greateft  refpeft,  &.C.  G.  W. 


SIR,  Camp  at  Cambridge ',  OB.  12,  1775. 

I  AM  honored  with  your  feveral  favors  of  the  twenty- 
fixth  and  thirtieth  September,  and  fifth  Orlober,  the  content: 
of  which  I  (hall  beg  leave  to  notice  in  their  refpeclive  order. 

Previous  to  the  direction  of  Congrefs  to  confult  the  general 
officers  on  the  beft  mode  of  continuing  and  providing  for  the 
army  during  the  winter,  I  had  defired  them  to  turn  their 
thoughts  upon  thefe  fubjecls,  and  to  favor  me  with  the  refult, 
by  a  particular  day,  in  writing.  In  this  interval,  the  appoint- 
ment of  Dr. 'Franklin,  Mr.  Lynch,  and  colonel  Harrifon,  was 
communicated, — an  event,  which  has  given  me  the  higlieft  fa- 
tisfa&ion,  as  the  fudje£l  was  too  weighty  and  complex  for  a 
diicuiTion  by  letter.  This  appointment  made  any  conclusion 
here  unneceflary,  as  it  is  not  probable  any  fuch  arrangement 
would  be  agreed  on,  as  would  not  be  altered  in  fome  refpecis, 
upon  a  full  and  free  conference.  This  good  effeft  will  arife 
from  the  ftep  already  taken,  that  every  officer  will  be  prepared 
to  give  his  fcntiments  upon  thefe  important  fubie6ls. 

The 


36  GENERAL  WASHINGTON'* 


The  cftimates  of  the  commiffary  and  quarter 
J  have  now  the  honor   of  incloling.      The  firfl  is  No.  j,  —  the 
other,  No.  2. 

With  refpefl  to  the  reduclion  of  the  pay  of  the  men,  which 
may  enter  into  the  conlideration  of  their  fupport,  it  is  the  una- 
nimous opinion  of  the  general  officers,  that  it  cannot  be  touch- 
ed with  fafety  at  prefent.  *  *  * 

Upon  the  prefumption  of  there  being  a  vacarcy  in  the  di- 
rection of  the  hofpital,  lieutenant-colonel  Hand,  formerly  a 
furgeon  in  the  eighteenth  regiment  of  royal  Irifh,  and  Dr.  I'of- 
ter,  late  of  Charleftown,  and  one  of  the  furgeons  of  the  hofpi- 
tal under  Dr.  Church,  are  candidates  for  that  office.  I  do  net 
pretend  to  be  acquainted  with  their  refpecHve  merits,  and 
therefore  have  given  them  no  farther  expectation,  than  that 
they  fhould  be  mentined  as  candidates  for  the  department.  I 
therefore  need  only  to  add  upon  this  fubjecl,  that  the  affairs  of 
the  hofpital  require  that  the  appointment  fhould  be  made  a:- 
foon  as  poflible. 

Before  I  was  honored  with  your  favor  of  the  fifth  inflant,  I 
liad  given  orders  for  the  equipment  of  fome  armed  veilels,  to 
intercept  the  enemy's  fupplies  of  provifions  and  ammunition. 
One  of  them  was  on  a  cruife  between  Cape  Anne  and  Gape 
Cod,  when  the  exprefs  arrived.  The  others  will  be  fit  for  the 
fea  in  a  few  days,  under  the  command  of  officers  of  the  conti- 
nental army,  who  are  well  recommended,  as  perfons  acquainted 
with  the  fea,  and  capable  of  fuch  a  fervice.  Two  of  thefe 
will  be  immediately  difpatched  on  this  duty  ;  and  every  parti- 
cular, mentioned  in  your  favor  of  the  fifth  inflant,  literally 
complied  with. 

That  the  honorable  Congrefs'  may  have  a  more  complete 
idea  qf  the  plan  on  which  thefe  veifcls  are  equipped^-1  inclcfe 
a  copy  of  the  inftru&ions  given  to  the  captains  no<v  out,  (No. 
4).  Thefe,  with  the  addition?!  inftruclions  dir£6ted,  will  be 
given  to  the  captains  who  go  into  the  mouth  of  St.  Lawrence's 
river.  As  both  officers  and  men  moft  cheerfully  engage  in  the 
fervice  on  the  terms  mentioned  in  thefe  inftru6tions,  I  fear  that 
the  propofed  increafe  will  create  fome  ^fficulty,  by  making  a 
difference  between  men  engaged  on  firnilar  fervice.  I  have 
therefore  not  yet  communicated  this  part  of  the  plan,  but  re- 
ferved  an  extra  bounty  as  a  reward  for  extraordinary  activity. 
There  are  no  armed  veflels  in  this  province  j  and  governor 
Cooke  informs  me  the  enterprife  can  receive  no  afiiftance  from 
him,  as  one  of  the  armed  veiTels  of  Rhode-Ifland  is  on  a.  long 
cruife,  and  the  other  unfit  for  fervice,  Nothing  mall  be  omit- 


*e<FT: I  C  I  A  L     L  2  T  T  E  JL  S.  $7 

•t«d  to  fccure  faccefs.  A  fortunate  capture  of  an  ordnance 
ihip  would  give  new  life  to  the  camp,  and  an  immediate  turn 
to  the  ilfue  of  this  campaign. 

•    Our  laft  accounts  from  colorvel  Arnold  are    very  .favorable  : 
he   was   proceeding  with    all  expedition  ,   and   I   flatter  myfelr" 
(making  all  allowances)  he   will  be    at   Quebec  the  -twent. 
inftant,  where  a  gentleman  from  Canada  (Mr.  *.*_*)    allures 
me  he  will  meet  with  no  reiiitance.   -/.itaJfeJWh 

In  the  charter-mailer's  eilimate,   there  are  fome  articles  o- 
nitted,  of  which  he  informs  me  he  cannot  pretend  to  furnifh  a 
-•computation, — fech  as  cartage,  tools,   &cc.  for  which  fome  ge- 
neral allowance  muft  be  made. 

From  the  various  accounts  received  from  Europe,  there  m-ay 
•  be  reaibn  to  expert  troops  will  be  landed  at  New. York,  er 
fome  other  middle  colony.  I  fiuould  be  glad  to  know  the  plea- 
sure of  the  Congrefs,  whether,  upon  fuch  an  event,  it  would  be 
expected  that  a  part  of  this  army  mould  be  detached,  or  the 
internal  force  of  fuch  colony  and  its  neighbourhood  be  deemed 
fufficient  j  or  whether,  in  fuch  cafe,  I  am  to  wait  the  particular 
direction  of  Congrefs.  i 

The  fleet,  mentioned  in  my  laft,  has  been  feen  fianding 
N.  N.  E.  fo  that  we  apprehend  it  is  intended  for  fome  part  of 
this  province,  or  New  Hampfhire,  or  poflibly  Quebecy 

The  lateft 'and  beft  accounts  we  have  from,  the  enemy,  are, 
that  they  are  engaged  in  their  new  work  acrofs  the  fouth  e.nd 
of  Bofton,  preparing  their  barracks,  &c.  for  winter;: — that  it 
is  propofed  to  keep  from  five  hundred  to  a  thoufand  mdn  on 
Bunker's-hill  all  winter,  who  are  are  to  be  relieved  pn&e-  a 
•week  j — the  reft  to  be  drawn  into  Boiton. 

A  perfon  who  has  lately  bee.n  a  fervant  to  major  Can  oily 
(a  tool  of  lord  Dunmore's)  has  given  an  account  of  a  fcheme 
to  diftrefs  the  ibuthern  provinces,  which  appeared  to  r»eiof 
fufRcieHt  ccnfequence  to  be  immediately  trani'mitted.  I  have 
therefore  got  it  attetted,  and  do  myfelf  the  honor  of  incloiln^ 
it,  No.  5. 

The  new  levies  from  Connecticut  have  lately-  marched -inlo 
camp,  and  are  a  bc^iy  of  as  good  troops  as  any  we  have ^fo 
that  we  have  now  the  fame  iirength,  as  before  the  d'etachraent 
made  under  colonel  Arnold. 

I  am,  with  the  moft  refpe&ful  fentiments  to  tlie  honorable 
Congrefs,  and  yourfelf,  iir,  your  moil  obedient^  ^?»  Q-  'W. 


. 
Camp 


?S  GENERAL  WASHINGTON** 


SIR,  Cam/tat  Cambridge,  O&ob.  24,  17/5. 

MY  conjecture  of  the  deitination  of  the  late  fquadron 
from  Bolion,  in  my  laft,  has  been  unhappily  verified  by  an  out- 
rage, exceeding,  in  barbarity  and  crueley,  every  hoitile  act 
prattifed  among  civiliied  nations.  I  have  inclofed  thr  account 
given  me  by  Mr.  Jones,  a  gentleman  of  the  town  of  Falmouth, 
of  the  definition  of  that  increaiing  and  rlouriihing  village.  He 
is  a  very  great  fosterer,  and  informs  me  that  the  time  allowed 
for  the  removal  of  efie&s  was  fo  final!,  that  valuable  property  of 
all  kinds,  and  to  a  great  amount,  has  been  deftroyed.  The  or- 
ders ihewn  by  the  captain  for  this  horrid  procedure,  (by  which 
it  appears  the  fame  defolation  is  meditated  upon  all  the  towns 
on  the  coaft)  made  it  my  duty  to  communicate  it  as  quickly 
and  extenfively  as  poUible.  As  Portfmouth  was  the  next  place 
to  which  he  propoied  to  go,  general  Sullivan  was  permitted  to 
go  up,  and  give  them  !  r.ce  and  advice  to  ward  off  the 

Mow.  I  flatter  my  felt  the  like  event  will  not  happen  there,  as 
they  have  a  fortification  of  fome  ftrength,  and  a  veffel  has  ar- 
rived at  a  place  called  Sheepfcot,  with  fifteen  hundred  pounds 
df  powder. 

The  gentlemen  of  the  Congrefs  have  nearly  finifhed  their 
bufinefs  :  but  as  they  write  by  this  opportunity,  I  mull  beg 
e  to  refer  you  to  their  letter,  for  what  concerns  their  com- 
miffion. 

We  have  had  no  occurrence  of  any  confequence  in  the  camp 
iiace  I  had  the  honor  of  addrefling  you  laft  j  but  expect  every 
hour  to  hear  that  Newport  has  ihared  the  fate  of  unhappy 
Falmouth. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c.  G.  W. 


SIR,  Camp  at  Cambridge,  Oflob.  30,  i;"J. 

THE  information,  which  the  gentlemen  who  have  lately 
gone  from  hence  can  jjive  the  Congrefs,  of  the  ftate  and  litua- 
tion  of  the  army,  would  have  made  a  letjjer  unneceffary,  if  I 
did  not  fuppofe  there  would  be  iome  anxiety  to  know  the  in- 
tentions of  the  army  on  the  fubjecl  of  the  re-enlillment. 

Agreeable  to  the   advice   of  thofe  gentlemen,  and  my  own 

opinion,   I   immediately  began  by  directing  all  fuch  orricers  as 

propofed  to  continue,  to  fignify  their  intentions  as  foon  as  pof- 

fible.     A  great  number  of  the  returns  are  come  in,  from  which 

that  a  very  great  proportion  of  the  oitkers  of  the   rank 

of 


O  F  F  I  C  I  A  L   L  E  T  T  E  R  S.  & 

of  captains,  and  under,  will  retire  j — from  prefent  apjreanmc&s, 
J  may  fay,  half, — but  at  leaft,  one-third.  It  is  with  fome  con- 
cern alfo  that  1  obferve,  that  many  of  the  officers  who  retire, 
difcourage  the  continuance  of  the  men,  and,  I  fear,  will  com- 
municate the  infection  to  them.  Sorae  have  ad  vile  d  that  thole 
officers  who  decline  the  fervice  fhould  be  immediately  difmiiT- 
ed  :  but  his  would  be  very  dangerous  and  inconvenient.  I 
confefs  I  have  great  anxieties  upon  the  fubjed,  though  1  {till 
hope  the  pay  and  terms  are  fo  advantageous,  that  intereft,  and, 
I  hope  alfo,  a  regard  to  their  country,  will  retain  a  greater 
proportion  of  privates  than  their  officers.  In  fo  important  a 
matter,  I  {hall  cfteem  it  my  indifpenfable  duty,  not  only  to  ac~fc 
with  all  poffible  prudence,  but  to  give  the  rnorVearly  and  con* 
ftant  advice  of  my  progrefs. 

A  fupply  of  clothing,  equal  to  our  neceflities,  would  greatly 
contribute  to  the  encouragement  and  fatisfaclion  of  the  men. 
In  every  point  of  view,  it  is  fo  important  that  I  beg  leave  to 
call  the  attention  of  the  Congrefs  to  it  in  a  particular  manner. 

A  ferjeant  has  juft  come  in  from  Bunker's-hill,  but  brings 
no  important  ne\vs. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &.c.  G.  W- 


SIR,  Cambridge  ,  Nov.  2,  1775. 

I  COULD  not  fuffer  Mr.  Randolph  to  quit  this  camp 
without  bearing  fome  teftimony  of  my  duty  to  the  Congrefs  ; 
although  his  fudden  departure  (occafioned  by  the  death  of  his 
worthy  relative,  whofe  lofs,  as  a  good  citizen,  and  valuable 
member  of  fociety,  is  much  to  be  regretted)  does  not  allow  me 
time  to  be  particular. 

The  inclofed  return  {hews,  at  one  view,  what  reliance  we 
have  upon  the  officers  of  this  army,  and  how  deficient  we  are 
like  to  be  in  fnbaltern  officers.  A  few  days  more  will  enable 
me  to  inform  the  Congrefs  what  they  have  to  expe£l  from  the 
foldiery,  as  I  mall  ilfue  recruiting  orders  for  this  purpofe,  fo 
foon  as  the  officers  -sre  appointed,  —  which  will  be  done  this 
day,  —  having  fent  for  the  general  officers,  to  confult  them  in 
the  choice. 

I  muft  beg  leave  to  recall  the  attention  of  the  Congrefs  to 
the  appointment  of  a  brigadier-general,  —  an  officer  as  neceffary 
to  a  brigade,  as  a  colonel  is  to  a  regiment,  and  will  be  excetd- 


wanted  in  the  new  •atiangement. 


The 


40  GENERAL  WASHINGTON'* 

The  proclamations  and  aftociation,   herewith  inclofed,   cams 

to  my  hands  on  rnonday  lait.  I  thought  it  my  duty  to  fend 
them  to  you.— —Nothing  oc  moment  has  happened  lince  m^ 
lait. 

With   refpe&ful  compliments  to  the  members  of  Congrefs,  I 
hare  the  honor  to  be,  £.c.  G.  \V. 


SIR,  CambriJge,  Nov.   8,   1775. 

THE  immediate  occafion  of  my  giving  the  Congrefc  the 
trouble  of  a  letter  at  this  time  is  to  inform  them,  that,  in  con- 
fcquence  of  their  order  iignined  in  your  letter  of  the  twentieta 
ultimo,  I  laid  myfelf  under  a  folemn  tie  of  fecrecy  to  captain 
M'Pherfon,  and  proceeded  to  examine  his  plan  for  the  deil  ruc- 
tion of  the  fleet  in  the  harbor  of  Bofton,  with  all  that  care  and. 
attention  which  the  importance  of  it  deicrvtd,  and  my  judgment 
could  lead  to.  Bat  not  being  happy  enough  to  coincide  in  o- 
pinion  with  that  gentleman,  and  finding  that  his  icheme  wwuld 
involve  greater  cxpente,  than  (under  my  doubts  of  its  fuccek) 
X  thought  myfelf  juftiSed  in  giving  into,  I  prevailed  upon  hira 
to  communicate  his  plan  to  three  gentlemen  of  the  artillery  in 
this  army,  well  acquainted  in  the  knowledge  and  pia&ite  of 
gunnery.  By  them  he  has  been  convinced,  that,  iuaimach  as 
fte  fet  out  upon  wrong  principles,  the  icheme  would  prove  a- 
bortive.  Unwilling,  however,  to  relinquifn  his  favourite  project 
of  reducing  the  naval  force  of  Great-Britain,  he  is  very  defu- 
ous  of  building  a  number  of  row  gallics  for  this  purpofe.  But 
as'  the  Congreis  alone  are  competent  to  the  adoption  of  thi» 
meafure,  I  have  advifed  him  (although  he  offered  to  go  en  with 
the  building  of  them  at  his  own  expcnfe,  till  the  Congref* 
ihould  decide)  to  itpair  immediately  to  Philadelphia  with  his 
propofals  •,  where,  if  they  ihould  be  agreed  to,  or  vefTels  of  fu- 
perior  force,  agreeable  to  the  willies  of  moil  others,  (hoald  be 
refolved  on,  he  may  fet  inilantly  about  them,  with  all  the  ma- 
terials upon  the  ipot  : — here,  they  are  to  collect. — To  hiia 
therefore  I  refer  for  further  information  9,11  this  head. 

A  ve-flfcl,  laid  to  be  from  Philadelphia  and  bound  to  Bofton, 
with  a  hundred  and  twenty  pipes  of  \\ine  (a  hundred  and  eigh- 
teen of  which  are  liecuied)  iiiandtd  at  a  place  called  Eaiiham, 
in  a  gale  of  wind,  on  the  fecond  inilant  : — another,  fiom  Boilcm 
lo  Halifax,  with  dry  good,  &.c.  (amoualiag,  per  invoice,  to  about 
v\vo  hundred  and  foity  pounds  lawful  money)  got  difabkd  in  the 
ale,iicui  JJL\CiU.  TiicL  ca:^oc...  i'.ha  ;i;£  papers,  I  have 


. 
O  F  F  I  C  I  A  L     L  E  T  T  £  R  S.  41 r 

ordered  to  this  place, — the  veffels  to  be  taken  care  of  till  fur- 
ther orders.  I  have  alib  an  account  of  the  taking  of  a  wood- 
iioop  bound  to  Boiton,  and  carried  into  Portffnouth  by  one  q£ 
our  armed  veiTels  j— particulars  not  yet  come  to  hand  j— and 
this  iuftant,  of  two  others,  from  Nova  Scotia  to  Hofion,  with 
hay,  wood,  live  flock,  &c.  by  another  of  our  armed  fchooners. 
—  Thefe  aie  in  Plymouth. 

^'hefe  accidenrs  and  captures  point  out  the  neceffity  of  efta- 
blilhing  proper  courts  without  lofs  of  time,  for  the  decifion  of 
property,  and  the  legality  of  feizures  j  otherwife  I  may  be  in- 
volved in  inextricable  difficulties. 

Our  prifouers,  by  the  reduction  of  Fort  Chamblee  (on  which, 
happy  event  I  moit  fincerely  congratulate  the  Congrefs),  being 
considerably  augmented,  and  likely  to  be  increafed,  I  lubmit  it 
to  the  wifdom  of  Gongrefa,  whether  fome  convenient  inland 
towns,  remote  from  the  poaft-roads,  ought  not  to  be  affigned' 
them;  the  manner  of  their  treatment,  fubfittence,  &.c.  defin- 
ed; and  a  commiffary  or  agent  appointed,  to  fee  that  juftice  is^ 
done  both  to  them  and  the  public,  proper  accounts  rendered, 
&c.  Without  a  mode  of  this- fort  is  adopted,  I  fear  there  will 
be  fad  confulion  hereafter,  as  there  are  great  complaints  at  pre- 
lent. 

I  reckoned  without  my  hoft,-when  I  informed  the  Congrefs 
in  my  laft,  that  I  ihould  in  a  day  or  two  be  able  to  acquaint 
them  of  the  difpoiition  of  the  foldiery  towards  a  new  enliftment^ 
I  have  been  in  confutation  with  the  gener  Is  of  this  army  ever 
iince  thuri'day  laft,  endeavoring  to,  eitablifh  new  corps  of  offi- 
cers j  but  find  fo  many  doubts  and  difficulties  to  reconcile,  that 
I  cannot  fay  when  they  are  to  end,  or  what  may  be  the  cohfe- 
quence*  ;  as  there  appears  to  be  fuch  an  unwillingnefs  in  the 
officers  of  one  government  mixing  in  the  fame  regiment  with 
thofe  of  another  ;  and,  without  it,  many  muft  be  difmiffed,  who 
are  willing  to  ferve  5  hotwithttanding,  we  are  deficient  on  the 
whole.  ,  .'-  r 

The  council  of  officers  are  unanimously  of  opinion  .that  the 
co.mmand  of  the  artij^lery  mould  no  longer  continue  in  colonel 
*  j  and  knowing  of  no  perfon  better  qualified'  to  fuppty 
his  place,  or  whofe  appointment  will  give  more  general  fatis;- 
faclion,  have  taken  the  liberty  of  recommending  Henry  Knox, 
efquiie,  to  the  confideration  of  Congrefs,  thinkmg.it  indifpenfa- 
bly  neceifary,  at  the  fame  time,  that  this  regiment  ihould  cbnr 
iiii  of  two  lieutenant-colonels,  two  majors,  and  twelve  corapa- 
fciesi  agreeable  to  tli.e  glau  and  eftiraa.te  handed  in>  waich'dit- 


42  GENERAL  WASHINGTON'* 

fering  from  the  laft  eftablifhment,  I  fhould  be  glad  to  be  In- 
itrucled  on. 

The  commiffary-general  not  being  returned,  will  apologife, 
I  hope,  for  my  filcnce  refpe&ing  a  requifition  of  the  expenfe  of 
his  clerks,  8tc.  which  I  was  to  have  obtained  together  with  o- 
thers,  and  forwarded. 

I  have  heard  nothing  of  colonel  Arnold  fince  the  thirteenth 
ultimo.  His  letter  of,  and  journal  to  that  date,  will  convey 
all  the  information  I  am  able  to  give  of  him.  I  think  he  rnufh 
be  in  Quebec.  If  any  mifchance  had  happened  to  him,  he 
would,  as  directed,  have  forwarded  an  exprefs. — No  account 
yet  of  the  armed  veffels  fent  to  St.  Laurence. — I  think  they 
will  meet  the  ftores  inward  or  outward  bound. 

Captain  Symons,  in  the  Cerberus,  lately  fent  from  Bofton  to 
Falmouth,  hath  publiflied  the  inclofed  declaration  at  that 
place  ;  and  it  is  fufpecled  he  intends  to  make  fome  kind  of  a 
lodgment  there.  I  wrote  immediately  to  colonel  Finnic  of  this 
army,xvho  went  up  there  upon  the  laft  alarm,  to  fpirit  up  the  peo- 
ple and  oppofe  it  at  all  events. — Falmouth  is  about  a  hundred 
and  thirty  miles  from  this  camp. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c.  G.  W 

P.  S.  I  fend  a  general  return  of  the  troops,  and  manifests  of 
the  cargoes  and  veffels  taken  at  Plymouth. 


SIR,  Cambridge,  Nov.  u,   1775. 

*  Inclofed,  you  have  a  copy  of  an  a£l,  paffed  this  fef- 
iion,  by  the  honorable  council  and  houfe  of  reprefentatives  of 
this  province.  It  refpefts  fuch  captures  as  may  be  made  by 
veffels  fitted  out  by  the  province,  or  by  individuals  thereof. 
As  the  armed  veffels,  fitted  out  at  the  continental  expenfe,  do 
not  come  under  this  law,  I  would  have  h  fubmittedto  the  con- 
iideration  of  Congrefs,  to  point  out  a  more  fummary  way  of 
proceeding,  to  determine  theproperty  and  mode  of  condemna- 
tion of  fuch  prizes  as  have  been  or  hereafter  may  be  made,  than 
is  fpecified  in  this  a£l. 

Should  not  a  court  be  eftablifhed  by  authority  of  Congref  ? 
to  take  cognifance  of  prizes  made  by  the  continental  veffelss, 
Whatever  the  mode  is  which  they  are  pleafed  to  adopt,  there 
is  an  abfolute  neceflity  of  its  being  fpeedily  determined  on  : 
for  I  cannot  fpare  time  from  military  affairs,  to  give  proper  at- 
tention to  thefe  matters. 

The  inhabitants  of  Plymouth  have  taken  a  floop,  laden  with 

pro- 


OFFICIAL    LETTERS.  43 

provifions,  &c.  from  Halifax,  bound  to  Bofton,  and  the  inha- 
bitants of  Beverly  have,  under  cover  of  one  of  the  armed  fchoon- 
ers,  taken  a  veffel  from  Ireland,  laden  with  beef,  pork,  butter, 
&c.  for  the  fame  place.  The  latter  brings  papers  and  letter* 
of  a  very  interefting  nature,  which  are  in  the  hands  of  the  ho- 
norable council,  who  informed  me  they  Will  tranfmit  them  to 
you  by  this  conveyance.  To  the  contents  of  thefe  papers  and 
letters  I  muft  beg  leave  to  refer  you  and  the  honorable  Con- 
grefs,  who  will  now  fee  the  abfolute  neceffity  there  is,  of  ex- 
erting all  tjieir  wifdom,  to  withftand  the  mighty  efforts  of  our 
enemies. 

The  trouble  I  have  in  the  arrangement  of  the  army  is  really 
inconceivable.  Many  of  the  officers  fent  in  their  names  to 
ferve,  in  expectation  of  promotion:  others  flood  aloof  *  *  *• 
whilft  a  number  who  have  declined,  have  again  fent  in  their 
names,  to  ferve.  So  great  has  the  confuiion,  arifing  from 
thefe  and  many  other  perplexing  circumftances,  been,  that  I 
found  it  abfolutely  impoffible  to  fix  this  very  interefting  bufi- 
nefs  exactly  on  the  plan  refolved  on  in  the  conference,  though 
I  have  kept  up  to  the  fpirit,  as  near  as  the  nature  and  neceflity 
of  the  cafe  would  admit  of:  the  difficulty  with  the  foldiers  is  as 
great, — indeed  more  fo,  if  poflible,  than  with  the  officers. 
They  will  not  enlift,  until  they  know  their  colonel,  lieutenant- 
colonel,  major,  captain,  &c.  fo  that  is  was  neceflTary  to  fix  the 
officers  the  firft  thing ;  which  is,  at  lafl,  in  fome  manner  donej 
and  I  have  given  out  enlifting  orders. 

You,  fir,  can  much  eafier  judge,  than  I  can  exprefs,  the 
anxiety  of  mind  I  muft  labor  under  on  the  occafion,  efpecialljr 
at  this  time,  when  we  may  expecl:  the  enemy  will  begin  to  act 
on  the  arrival  of  their  reinforcement,  part  of  which  is  already 
come,  and  the  remainder  daily  dropping  in. 

I  have  other  diftreffes  of  a  ve'ry  alarming  nature.  The  arms 
of  our  foldiery  are  fo  exceeding  bad,  that  I  aflure  you,  fir,  I 
cannot  place  a  proper  confidence  in  them.  Our  powder  is  vaft- 
ing  faft,  notwithftanding  the  ftri&eft  care,  economy,  and  at- 
tention is  paid  to  it.  The  long  feries  of  wet  weather  we  have 
had,  renders  the  greater  part  of  what  has  been  ferved  out  to. 
the  men,  of  no  ufe.  Yefterday  I  had  a  proof  of  it,  as  a  party 
of  the  enemy,  about  four  or  five  hundred,  taking  the  advan- 
tage of  a  high  tide,  landed  at  Leechmore's  point:  we  were  a- 
larmed,  and  of  courfe  ordered  every  man  to  examine  his  car- 
touch-box  5  when  the  melancholy  truth  appeared  ;  and  we  were 
obliged  to  furnifh  the  greater  part  of  them  with  freih  ammuni- 
tion. 

The 


44  GENERAL  WASHINGTON'S 

The  damage  done  at  the  point  was  the  taking  of  a  man  who 
watched  a  few  horfes  and  cows :  ten  of  the  latter  they  carried 
off.  Colonel  1  hornpfon  marched  down  with  his  regiment  of 
riflemen,  and  was  joined  by  colonel  Woodbiidge,  with  a  part 
of  his  and  a  part  of  Patterfon's  regiment,  who  gallantly  waded 
through  the  water,  and  foon  obliged  the  enemy  to  embark  un- 
der cover  of  a  man-of-war,  a  floating  battery,  and  the  lire  of  a 
battery  on  Charleftown  neck.  We  have  two  of  cur  men  dan- 
geroufly  wounded  by  grape-mot  from  the  man-of-war,  and,  by 
a  flag  fent  out  this  day,  we  are  informed  the  enemy  loil  two  of 
their  men. 

J  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c.  G.  W. 


SIP.,  Cambridge^  November  19,  1775. 

I  received  your  favors  of  the  fevcnth  and  tenth  inftant, 
•with  the  refolves  of  the  honorable  Congrefs,  to  which  I  will 
pay  all  due  attention. — As  foon  as  two  capable  perfons  can  be 
found,  I  will  difpatch  them  to  Nova-Scotia,  on  the  fervice  re- 
folved  on  in  Congreis. 

The  refolve  to  raife  two  battalions  of  marines  will  (if  pracli-  : 
cable  in  this  army)  entirely  derange  what"  has  been  done.      It 
is  therein  mentioned,  "  one  colonel  for  the  two  battalions  :"-—•; 
of  courfe,  a  colonel  mufl  be  difmiffed.      One  of  the  many  diili- , 
culties,  which  attended  the  new  arrangement,  was  in  reconcil- 
ing the  different  interefts,  and  judging  of  the  merits  of  the  dif- 
ferent colonels. — In  the  difmiflion  of  this  one,   the  fame  diffi- 
culties will  occur. — The  cfficers  and  men  muft  be  acquainted 
•y»ith   maritime   affairs  j   to  comply  with  which,  they  mult  be 
picked  out  of  the  whole  army, — one  from  this  corps,  one  from 
another,-»-fo  as  to  break  through  the  whole  fyflem,  which  has 
coft  us  fo  much  time,  anxiety  and  pains,  to  bring  into  any  to- 
lerable form.      Notwithftanding  any  difficulties  which  will  arifer 
you  may  be  allured,  fir,  that  I  will  ufe  every  endeavor  to  corn-*, 
ply  with  their  refolve. 

I  beg  leave  to  fubmit  it  to  the  confrdeiation  of  Congrefs  (if 
thefe  two  battalions  cam  be  formed  out  of  this  army)  whether 
this  is  a  time  to  weaken  our  lines,  by  employing  any  of  the  for- 
ces appointed  to  defend  them,  on  any  other  fervice.  The  gen- 
tlemen who  were  here  from  the  Congrefs  know  their  vaft  ex- 
tent :  they  muft  know  that  we  mail  have  occalicn  for  our  whole 
force  for  that  purpofe  j  more  fo  now  than  at  any  paft  time,  as 
\ve  may  expect  the  enemy  will  take  the  advantage  of  the-ftrft 

hard 


OFFICIAL    LETTERS.  45 

hard  weather,  and  attempt  to  make  an  impreflion  fomewhere. 
That  this  is  their  intention,  we  have  many  reafons  to  fufpecl:. 

We  have  had,  in  the  laft  week,  fix  deferters,  and  took  two 
ftraggling  prifoners.  They  all  agree  that  two  companies,  with 
a  train  of  artillery  and  one  of  the  regiments  from  Ireland,  were 
arrived  at  Boftonj — that  frefh  ammunition  and  flints  have  been 
ferved  out  5 — that  the  grenadiers  and  light  infantry  had  orders 
to  hold  themfelves  in  readinefs  at  a  moment's  warning. 

As  there  is  every  appearance  that  this  conteft  will  not  be  foon 
decided,  and  of  courfe  that  there  muft  be  an  augmentation  of 
the  continental  army,  would  it  not  be  eligible  to  raife  two  bat- 
talions of  marines  in  New-York  and  Philadelphia,  where  there 
muft  be  numbers  of  failors  now  unemployed  ? — This  however 
is  matter  of  opinion,  which  I  mention  with  all  due  deference  to 
the  fuperior  judgment  of  the  Congrefs. 

Inclofed,  you  have  copies  of  two  letters, — one  from  colonel 
Arnold, — the  other  from  colonel  *  *  *.  I  can  form  no  judg- 
ment on  the  latter's  conduct,  until  I  fee  him.  Notwithftanding 
the  great  defection,  I  do  not  difpair  of  colonel  Arnold's  fuc- 
cefs.  He  will  have,  in  all  probability,  many  more  difficulties 
to  encounter,  than  if  he  had  been  a  fortnight  fooner;.as  it  is 
likely  that  governor  Carleton  will,  with  what  forces  he  can  col- 
lecl  after  the  furrender  of  the  reft  of  Canada,  throiv  himfelf  in- 
to Quebec,  and  there  make  his  laft  effort.  There  is  no  late  ac- 
count from  captains  Broughton  and  Sillman,  fent  to  the  river 
St.  Laurence.  The  othei  craifers  have  been  chiefly  confined 
to  harbor,  by  the  badnefs  of  the  weather.  7"he  fame  reafon 
has  caufed  great  delay  in  building  of  our  barracks  •,  which,  with 
a  moft  mortifying  fcarcity  of  fire-wood,  difcourages  the  men 
from  enlifting.  The  laft,  I  am  afraid,  is  an  infuperable  obfta- 
cle.  I  have  applied  to  the  honorable  houfe  of  reprefentatives 
of  this  province,  who  were  pleaied  to  appoint  a  committee  to 
negotiate  this  bufinefs  :  and  notwithftanding  all  the  pains  they 
have  and  are  taking,  they  find  it  impofiible  to  fupply  our  ne- 
ceilities.  The  want  of  a  fufticient  number  of  teams,  1  under- 
ftand  to  be  the  chief  impediment. 

I  got  returns  this  day  from  eleven  colonels,  of  the  numbers 
enlifted  in  their  regiments.  The  whole  amount  is  nine  hundred 
and  iixty-fix  men.  There  muft'  be  fome  other  ftimulus  beiides 
love  for  their  country,  to  make  men  fond  of  the  fervice.  It 
would  be  a  great  encouragement,  and  no  additional  expe»fe  to 
the  continent,  were  they  to  receive  pay  for  the  months  of  Oc- 
tober and  November 5  alfo  a  month's  pay  advance.  The  pre- 

fent 


4#  GENERAL  WASHINGTON'S. 

fent  ftate  of  the  military  cheft  will  not  admit  of  this.  The 
fooner  it  is  enabled  to  do  fo,  the  better. 

The  commiffary-general  is  daily  ^xpe&ed  in  camp.  I  cannot 
fend  you  the  efiimate  of  the  clerks  in  his  department,  until  he 
arrives. 

I  fincerely  congratulate  you  upon  the  fuccefs  of  your  arms, 
in  the  furrender  of  St,  John's,  which  I  hope  is  a  happy  prefage 
of  the  reduction  of  the  reft  of  Canada. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c.  G.  W. 


SIR,  Cambridge^  Novtm.   28,   1775. 

I  HAD  the  honor  of  writing  to  you  on  the  nineteenth 
inftant.  I  have  now  to  inform  you  that  Henry  Knox,  efquire, 
is  gone  to  New-York,  with  orders  to  forward  to  this  place 
what  cannon  and  ordnance  ftores  can  be  there  procured.  From 
thence  he  will  proceed  to  general  Schuyler  on  the  fame  bulinefs, 
as  you  will  fee  by  the  inclofed  copy  of  inftruftions  which  I  have 
given  him.  It  would  give  me  much  fatisfaclion,  that  this  gen- 
tleman, or  any  other  whom  you  may  think  qualified,  was  ap- 
pointed to  the  command  of  the  artillery  regiment.  In  my  let- 
ter to  you,  of  the  eighth  inftant,  I  have  expreffed  myfelf  ful- 
ly on  this  fubjeft,  which  I  beg  leave  to  recommend  to  your 
immediate  attention  ;  as  the  formation  of  that  corps  will  be  at 

a    ft  and,  until    I  am  honored  with   your  inftruftions   thereon. 

*     #      *     * 

There  are  two  perfons  engaged  to  go  to  Nova- Scotia,  on  the 
bufmefs  recommended  in  your  laft.  By  the  beft  information 
we  have  from  thence,  theflores,  &,c.  have  been  withdrawn  fome 
time.  Should  this  not  be  the  cafe,  it  is  next  to  an  impoiiibility 
to  attempt  any  thing  there,  in  the  prefent  unfettled  and  preca- 
rious ftate  of  the  army.  *  *  * 

From  what  I  can  collect  in  my  inquiries  amongft  the  officers, 
it  will  be  impoflible  to  get  the  men  toenlift  for  the  continuance 
of  the  war  j  which  will  be  an  infuperable  obftruclion  to  the  for- 
mation of  the  two  battalions  of  marines  on  the  plan  refolved 
on  in  Congrefs.  As  it  can  make  no  difference,  I  propofe  to 
proceed  on  the  new  arrangement  of  the  army,  and,  when  com- 
pleted, inquire  out  fuch  officers  and  men  as  are  beft  qualified 
for  that  iervice,  and  endeavor  to  form  thefe  two  battalions 
out  of  the  whole.  1  his  appears  to  me  the  beft  method,  and 
will,  I  hope,  meet  the  approbation  of  Congrefs, 

As 


O  F  F  I  C  I  A  L    L  £  T  t  £  R  S.  47 

As  it-  will  be  very  difficult  for  the  men  to  work  when  the 
hardfroftfets  in,  I  have  thought  it  neceffary  (though  of  little  uie 
£t  prefent)  to  take  pofleffion  of  Coble-hill,  for'  the  benefit  of  a- 
ny  future  operations.  It  was  effected,  without  the  leaft  oppo- 
iition  from  the  enemy,  the  twenty-third  inftant.  Their  inacti- 
vity on  this  occafion  is  what  I  cannot  account  for  :— it  is  pro- 
bable they  are  meditating  a  blow  fomewhere. 

About  three  hundred  men,  women,  and  children,  of  the  poor 
inhabitants  of  Bofton,  came  out  to  Point- Shirley  laft  friday. 
They  have  brought  their  houfehold  furniture,  but  are  unpro- 
vided of  every  other  neceffary  of  life.  I  iiave  recomme-nded 
them  to  the  attention  of  the  committee  of  the  honorable  coun- 
cil of  this  province  now  fitting  at  Watertown. 

The  number  enlifted  lince  my  laft  are  two  thoufand  four  hun- 
dred and  fifty  men.  *  *  *  *  Our  iituation  is  truly  alarming: 
and  of  this  general  Howe  is  well  apprifed,  it  being  the  common 
topic  of  converfation  when  the  people  left  Bofton  laft  friday.— 
No  doubt,  when  he  is  reinforced,  he  will  avail  himfelf  of  the 
information*. 

I  am  making  the  beft  difpofition  I  can  for  our  defence,  hav- 
ing thrown  up,  befides  the  work  on  Coble-hill,  feveral  icdoubts, 
half-moons,  &c,  along  the  bay  :  and  I  fear  I  ihall  be  under  the 
neceffity  of  calling  in  the  militia  and  minute-men  of  the  coun- 
try to  my  afliftance  :  I  fay,  I  fear  it, — becaufe,  by  what  I  can 
learn  from  the  officers  in  the  army,  belonging  to  this  colony,  it 
will  be  next  to  an  impoffibility  to  keep  them  under  any  degree 
of  difcipline,  and  that  it  will  be  very  difficult  to  prevail  t>n  them 
to  remain  a  moment  longer  than  they  chufe  themfelves.  It  is 
a  mortifying  reflexion,  to  be  reduced  to  this  dilemna.  There 
has  been  nothing  wanting  on  my  part,  to  infufe  a  proper  fpirit 
amongft  the  officers,  that  they  may  exert  their  influence  with  the 
foldiery.  You  fee,  by  a  fortnight's  recruiting  amongft  men 
with  arms  in  their  hands,  how  little  has  been  the  fuccefs. 

As  the  fmall-pox  is  now  in  Bofton,  I  have  ufed  the  precau- 
tion of  prohibiting  fuch  as  lately  came  out,  from  coming  near 
pur  camp. — General  Burgoyne,  I  am  informed,  will  foon  em- 
bark for  England. — I  think  the  riik  too  great  to  write  you  by 
pott,  whilft  it  continues  to  pafs  through  New-York.  It  is  ceiv 
tain  that  a  poft  has  been  intercepted  the  beginning  of  lait 
month,  as  they  fent  out  feveral  letters  from  Bofton,  with  the 
poft-raark  of  Baltimore  on  them.  This  goes  by  captain  Jofeph 
Blewer,  who  promifes  to  deliver  it  carefully  unto  you. 

You,  doubtlefs,  will  have  heard,  before  this  reaches,  of  gene- 
tal  Montgomery's  having  got  poffeiTion  of  Montreal.   I  congratu- 
late 


48  GENERAL  WASHINGTON'S 

late  you  thereon.  He  has  troubles  with  his  troops,  as  well  as 
1  have. — All  I  can  learn  of  colonel  Arnold  is,  that  he  is  near 
Quebec.  I  hope  Montgomery  will  be  able  to  proceed  to  his 
amitance.  I  mall  be  very  uneafy  until  I  hear  they  are  joined. 
My  belt  refpeds  attend  the  gentlemen  in  Congreis  ;  and  be- 
lieve me,  fir,  your  moll  obedient,  &c.  G.  W. 


SIR,  Cambridge,  Novem.   30,   1775* 

I  HAD  the  honor  to  write  to  you,  the  twenty-eighth  in- 
ftant,  by  captain  Joleph  Blewer.  Laft  evening  I  received  the 
agreeable  account  of  the  Schooner  Lee,  commanded  by  captain 
Manly,  having  taken  and  carried  into  Cape-Anne,  a  large  Brig- 
antine,  bound  from  London  to  Boiton,  laden  with  military 
itores,  the  inventory  of  which  1  have  the  pleafure  to  intlofe  you. 
Cape- Anne  is  a  very  open  harbor,  and  acceffible  to  large  (hips; 
which  made  me  immediately  lend  off  colonel  Glover  and  Mr, 
Palfry,  with  orders  to  raiie  the  minute-men  and  militia  of  that 
part  of  the  country,  to  have  the  cargo  landen  without  lofa  of  time, 
and  guarded  Up  to  this  camp.  This,  I  hope,  they  will  be  able 
to  effecl  before  it  is  known  to  the  enemy,  what  port  {he  is  car- 
ried into.  I  fincerely  congratulate  you  on  this  very  great  ac- 
quiiition  j  and  am,  fir,  your  moil  humble,  &c,  G.  W. 

Manly  has  taken  alib  a  floop  in  the  minillerial  fervice  j  arid 
captain  Adams,  in  the  fohooner  Warren,  has  taken  a  fchooner 
laden  with  potatoes  and  turnips,  bound  to  Boflon,  and  carri- 
ed her  into  Portfmouth. 


SIR,  Cambridge,  Dec.  4,  1775. 

I  HAD  the  honor  of  writing  to  you,  the  thirtieth  ultimo, 
inclofing  an  inventory  of  the  military  itores  taken  on  board  the 
brig  Nancy  by  captain  Manly  of  the  armed  fchooner  Lee.  I 
have  now  to  inform  you  that  he  has  iince  lent  into  Beverly,  n 
ihip  named  the  Concord,  James  Lowrie  mafter,  from  Greenock 
in  Scotland,  bound  to  Boiton.  Shcv  has  on  boaid  dry  goods 
and  coals,  to  the  value  of  three  thoufand  fix  hundred  and  fix 
pounds,  nine  millings  and  feven  pence,  ilerlincr,  (hipped  by 
Crawford,  Anderibn,  and  Co.  and  coniigned  to  James  Ander- 
fon,  merchant  in  Boilon.  It  is  mentioned  in  the  letters  found 
on  board,  that  this  cargo  was  for  the  ufe  of  the  army  ;  but,  on 
a  itrick  examination,  I  find  it  is  ically  the  property  of  the 
ihippcrs  and  the  pciloji  to  whom  cciifigned. — Pray  what  is  to 

be 


OFFICIAL    LETTERS.  49 

be  done  with  this  {hip  and  cargo  ?  and  what  with  the  brigsntine 
•which  brought  the  military  ftorqs  ? — It  was  agreed,  in  the  con- 
ference laft  Oclober,  "  that  all  vejjeh  employed  merely  as  iranf- 
ports,  end  unarmed,  with  their  crews,  be  Cet  at  liberty,  upon 
giving  fee urity  to  return  to  Europe  ;  but  that  this  indulgence  be 
not  extended  longer  than  till  the  firjl  of  dpril  next?"*  In  the 
fhippers'  letter,  they  mention:  "  you  muft  procure  a  certifi- 
cate from  the  general  and  admiral,  of  the  Concord  being  in 
the  government  fervice,  fuch  as  the  Glafgow  packet  brought 
with  her,  which  was  of  great  fervice,  piocurtd  a  liberty  to  arm 
her,  which  was  refufed  us  \  alfo  gave  her  a  preference  for  fome 
recruits  that  went  out  in  her."  In  another  part  of  the  letter, 
they  fay  :  "  Captain  Lowrie  will  deliver  you  the  contract  for 
the  coals  :  we  gave  it  to  him,  as  it  perhaps  might  be  of  ufe,  as 
a  certificate  of  his  (hip  being  employed  in  the  government  fer- 
vice. "  Every  letter  on  board  breathes  nothing  but  enmity  to 
this  country  :  and  a  vaft  number  of  them  there  are. 

It  is  fome  time  fince  I  recommended  to  the  Congrefs  that 
they  would  inilitute  a  court  for  the  tiial  of  prizes  made  by 
the  continental  armed  veiTels  ;  which  I  hope  they  have  ere 
now  taken  into  their  conlideration  :  otherwife  I  mould  again 
take  the  liberty  of  urging  it  in  the  moil  preffing  manner. 

The  conduct  of  a  great  number  of  the  Connedicut  troops 
has  laid  me  under  the  neceffity  of  calling  in  a  body  of  the  mi- 
litia much  fooner  than  I  apprehended  there  xvould  be  aa  occa- 
fion  for  fuch  a  ftep.  I  was  afraid  fome  time  ago  that  they 
would  incline  to  go  home  when  the  time  of  their  inliftraent 
expired.  I  called  upon  the  officers  of  the  feveral  regiments, 
to  know  whether  they  could  prevail  on  the  men  to  remain  un- 
til the  firft  of  January,  or  till  a  fufficient  number  of  other  for- 
ces could  be  raifed  to  fupply  their  place.  I  fuppofe  they  were 
deceived  themfelves  :  I  know  they  deceived  me  by  ailuranccs 
that  I  need  be  under  no  apprehensions  on  that  fcore,  for  the 
men  would  not  leave  the  lines.  Lail  friday  {hewed  how  much 
they  were  miftakcn,  as  the  major  part  of  the  troops  of  that 
colony  were  going  away  with  their  arms  and  ammunition.  We 
have  however,  by  threats,  perfuaflon,  and  the  activity  of  the 
people  of  the  country,  who  fent  back  many  of  them  that  had 
i'st  out,  prevailed  upon  the  moil  part  to  flay.  There  are  about 
eighty  of  them  milling. 

i  have  called  in  three  thoufand  men  "from  this  province  ;  and 
general  Sullivan,  who  lately  returned  from  the  province  of 
New-Harnpfhire,  having  informed  me  that  a  number  of  men 
were  there,  ready,  at  the  (hortefl  notice,  I  have  demanded  two 

G  thoufand 


50  GENERAL  WASHINGTON'S 

thoufand  from  that  province.  Thefe  two  bedies,  I  expe5, 
will  be  in  by  the  tenth  inflant,  to  make  up  the  deficiency  of 
the  Conne6licut-men,  whom  I  have  promifed  to  difmifs  on  that 
day,  as  well  as  the  numbers  to  whom  I  was  obliged  to  grant 
furloughs  before  any"  would  enlift. —  As  the  fame  defection 
is  much  to  be  apprehended  when  the  time  of  the  Maffachu- 
fetts-Bay,  New-Hampmire,  and  Rhode-Ifland  forces  is  ex- 
pired, I  beg  the  attention  of  Congrefs  to  this  important 
affair. 

I  am  informed  that  it  has  been  the  cuflom  of  thefe  provinces 
in  the  laft  war,  for  the  legiflative  power  to  order  every  town  to 
provide  a  certain  quota  of  men  for  the  campaign.  This  or  fome 
other  mode  fhould  be  at  prefent  adopted,  as  I  am  fatisfied  the 
men  cannot  be  had  without.  This  the  Congrefs  will  pleafe  to 
take  into  their  immediate  consideration.  My  fufpicions  on  this 
head  I  mall  alfo  communicate  to  the  governors  Trumbull  and 
Cooke,  alfo  to  the  New-Hampihire  convention. 

The  number  enlifted  in  the  lail  week  are  about  thirteen  hun- 
dred men.  By  this  you  fee  how  flow  this  important  work 
goes  on. 

An  exprefs  is  juft  come  in  from  general  Schuyler,  with  let- 
ters from  colonel  Arnold  and  general  Montgomery,  copies  of 
which  I  have  the  honor  to  inclofe  you.  Upon  the  whole,  I 
think  affairs  carry  a  pleafing  afpe6t  in  that  quarter.  The  reduc- 
tion of  Quebec  is  an  objecl;  of  fuch  great  importance,  that  I 
doubt  not  the  Congrefs  will  give  every  afiiflance  in  their  power 
for  the  accomplishing  it  this  winter. 

By  the  laft  accounts  from  the  armed  fchooners  fent  to  the  ri- 
ver St.  Laurence,  I  fear  we  have  but  little  to  expecl  from  them  : 
they  were  falling  fhort  of  provifion,  and  mention  that  they 
would  be  obliged  to  return  ;  which  at  this  time  will  be  paiti- 
cularly  unfortunate,  as  if  they  chofe  a  proptr  itation,  all  the 
veffels  coming  down  that  river  muft  fall  into  their  hands.  The 
plague,  trouble,  and  vexation  I  have  had  with  the  crews  of  all 
the  armed  veffels,  is  inexpreflible.  I  do  believe  there  is  not  on 
earth  a  more  diforderly  fet , — every  time  they  come  into  port, 
we  hear  of  nothing  but  mutinous  complaints.  Manly 's  fuccefs 
has  lately,  and  but  lately,  quieted  his  people.  The  crews  of 
the  Waihington  and  Harrifon  have  actually  deferted  them  j  fo 
that  I  have  been  under  the  necefftty  of  ordering  the  agent  to 
lay  the  latter  up,  and  get  hands  for  the  other  on  the  beft  terms 
he  could. 

The  houfe  of  reprefentatives  and  the  honorable  board  have 
fent  me  a  vote  of  theirs  relative  to  the  harbor  of  Cape-Cod, 

which 


OFFICIAL    LETTERS.  51 

which  you  have  herewith.  I  fhall  fend  an  officer  thither  to 
examine  what  can  be  done  for  its  defence,  though  I  do  not 
think  I  fliall  be  able  to  give  them  fuch  afliftance  as  may  be  re- 
quifite  j  for  I  have  at  prefent  neither  men,  powder,  nor  cannon 
to  fpare.  The  great  want  of  powder  is  what  the  attention  of 
'Congrefs  fhould  be  particularly  applied  to.  I  dare  not  attempt 
any  thing  oifenfive,  let  the  temptation  or  advantage  be  ever  fo 
great,  as  I  have  not  more  of  that  moft  effential  article,  than 
will  be  abfolutely  neceiTary  to  defend  our  lines,  mould  the  ene- 
my attempt  to  attack  them. 

By  recent  information  from  Bofton,  general  Mowc  is  going 
to  fend  out  a  number  of  the  inhabitants,  in  order,  it  is  thought, 
to  make  more  room  for  his  expected  reinforcements.  There  is 
one  part  of  the  information  I  can  hardly  give  credit  to  : — a  fai- 
lor  fays  that  a  number  of  thofe  coming  out  have  been  innoculat- 
cd,  with  deizgn  of  fpreading  the  fmall-pox  through  this  country 
and  camp.  I  have  communicated  this  to  the  general  court  j 
and  recommended  their  attention  thereto. 

They  are  arming  one  of  the  tranfports  in  Bofton,  with 
ivhich  they  mean  to  decoy  fome  of  our  armed  veffels.  As  we 
are  appiifed  of  their  defign,  I  hope  they  will  be  difappointed. 

My  beft  refpects  wait  on  the  gentlemen  in  Congrefs,  and  I 
am,  fir,  your  moft  humble,  &c.  G.  W. 

P.  S.  I  was  miiinformed  when  I  mentioned  that  one  regi- 
ment had  arrived  at  Bofton  j  a  few  companies  of  the  feventeenth, 
aud.  artillery  are  all  that  are  yet  come. — Near  three  hundred 
perfons  are  landed  on  Point-Shirley  from  Bofton. 


SIR,  Cambridge,  Decemb.  7,   1775. 

I  WROTE  you,  the  fourth  inftant,  by  exprefs,  to  which 
I  beg  you  will  be  referred.  My  fears,  that  Broughton  and  Sill- 
man  would  not  effect  any  good  purpofe,  were  too  well  founded. 
They  are  returned,  and  brought  with  them  three  of  the  princi- 
pal inhabitants  from  the  Ifland  of  St.  John's.  *  *  *  They 
brought  the  governor's  commirTion,  the  province  feal,  &c.  &.c. 
As  the  captains  acted  without  any  warrant  for  fuch  conduct,  I 
have  thought  it  but  juftice  to  difcharge  thefe  gentlemen,  whofe 
families  were  left  in  the  utmoft  diftrefs. 

I  am  credibly  informed  that  James  Anderfon,  the  confignee 
and  part  owner  of  the  mip  Concord  and  cargo,  is  not  only 
unfriendly  to  American  liberty,  but  actually  in  arms  againft  us, 
—being  captain  of  the  Scotch  company  at  Bofton.  Whether 

your 


52  GENERAL  WASHINGTON'S 

yqur  being  acquainted  with  this  circumftance,  or  not,  will  ope- 
rate againft  the  veffel  and  cago,  1  will  not  take  upon  me  to 
fay  :  but  there  are  many  articles  on  board,  fo  abfolutely  necei- 
fary  for  the  army,  that,  whether  (he  is  made  a  prize  or  not,  we 
muf!  have  them. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c.  G.  W, 


SIR,  Cambridge,  Decenw.  i  r,  177^. 

*  *  *  The  numbers  enlifted  laft  week  are  men.      If 

they  go  on  at  this  flow  rate,  it  will  be  a  long  time  before  this 
army  is  complete.  I  have  wrote  to  the  governors  of  Connecti- 
cut and  Rhode-Ifland,  alfo  to  the  Convention  of  New-Ham::- 
ihire,  on  this  fuhjec~t.  A  copy  of  my  letter  .to  them  I  have  the 
honor  to  inclofe  herewith.  A  letter  to  the  fame  purport  I  lent 
to  the  legiilature  of  this  province. 

The  militia  are  coming  in  fafc.  I  am  much  pleafed  with  the 
alacrity  which  the  good  people  of  this  province,  as  well  as 
thofe  of  New-Hampihire,  have  {hewn  upon  this  occafion.  I  ex- 
peel:  the  whole  will  be  in  this  day  and  to-morrow,  when  what 
remains  of  the  Connecticut  [troops^  who  have  not  enlifted,  will 
have  liberty  to  go  to  their  fire-fides. 

The  commiiTary-general  is  ftill,  by  his  indifpofition,  detained 
from  camp.  He  committed  an  error  when  making  out  the  ra- 
tion-lift :  for  he  was  then  ferving  out  (and  has  continued  fo  to 
do)  fix  ounces"  per  man.  per  week,  of  butter,  though  it  is  not  in- 
cluded in  the  lift  approved  of  by  Congrefs.  I  do  not  think  it 
would  be  expedient  to  put  a  flop  thereto  }  as  every  thing,  that 
would  have  a  tendency  to  give  the  foldiery  room  for  complaint, 
inuft  be  avoided. 

The  information  I  received  that  the  enemy  intending  fnread- 
ing  the  fmall-pox  amongft  us,  I  could  not  fuppofe  them  capable 
of. — I  now  muft  give  fome  credit  to  it,  as  it  has  made  its  appear- 
ance on  feveral  of  thofe  who  laft  came  out  of  Bofton. — Every 
necefiary  precaution  has  been  taken  to  prevent  its  being  com- 
municated to  this  army  5  and  the  general  couit  will  take  care 
that  it  does  not  fpread  through  the  country. 

I  have  not  heard  that  any  more  troops  are  arrived  at  Soften ; 
•which  is  a  lucky  circumftance,  a$  the  Connecticut  troops,  1  now 
fmd,  are  for  the  molt  part  gone  off.— -The  houfes  in  Eofton  are 
leifening  every  day  :  they  are  pulled  down,  either  for  fire-wood, 
or  to  prevent  the  effects  of  fire,  mould  we  attempt  a  bombard- 
•jnent  or  an  attack  upon  the  town. -^-Coble-hill  is  ftrongly  for- 
tified, 


O  F  F  I  C  I  A  L    L  E  T  T  E  R  S.  $3 

tiffed,  without  any  interruption  from  the  enemy.    *  '*  *    This 
is  what  at  prefent   occurs,  from,  fir,  your  moil  obedient,  &c* 

G.  W. 

P.  S.  The  weekly  returns  of  enliftments  not  being  yet  re- 
ceived for  more  than  ten  regiments,  amounting  to  feven  hun- 
dred and  twenty-five  men,  I  cannot  fill  up  the  blank  in  this  let- 
ter :  but  this,  added  to  the  former,  makes  in  the  whole  five 
thoufand  two  hundred  and  fifty-three. 


SIR,  Cambridge,  Decerr.b.   14,   1775. 

I  RECEIVED  your  favor  of  the  fecond  inftant,  tvith  the 
feveral  refolves  of  Co.ngrefs  therein  inclofed. — The  refolves  re- 
lative t©  captures  made  by  continental  armed  veiTels  only  want, 
a  court  eflabliihe^  for  trial,  to  make  them  complete.  This,  I 
hope,  will  be  foon  done,  as  I  have  taken  the  liberty  to  urge  it 
often  to  the  Congrefs. 

I  am  fomewhat  at  a  lofs  to  know  whether  I  am  to  raifit  the 
two  battalions  of  marines  here,,  or  not.  As  the  delay  can  fe* 
attended  with  but  little  inconvenience,  I  will  wait  a  farther  ex- 
planation from  Congrefs,  before  I  take  any  fleps  therein. 

I  am  much  pleafed  that  the  money  will  be  forwarded  with 
all  pofiible  expedition,  as  it  is  much  wanting  j  alfo  that  Conolly 
and  his  afibciates  are  taken.  It  has  been  a  very  fortunate  dif- 
covery.  I  make  no  doubt  but  that  the  Congrefs  will  take  eve- 
ry necefTary  meafure  to  difpcfiefs  lord  Dunmore  of  his  hold  in 
Virginia  :  the  fooner  fleps  are  taken  for  that  purpofe,  the  more 
probability  there  will  be  of  their  being  effectual,,  *  *  *  * 

I  wilt  make  application  to  general  Howe,  and  propofe  an  ex- 
change for  Mr,  Ethan  Allen.  I  am  much  afraid  I  mail  have 
a  like  propofal  to  make  for  captain  Martindale  of  the  armed 
brigantine  Wafhingtcn,  and  his  men,  who,  it  is  reported,  wa\s  ta- 
ken a  few  days  pail  by  a:  man-of-war,  and  carried  into  Boilbn. 
— We  cannot  expeft  to  be  always  fuccefsful. 

You  will  doubtlcfs  hear  of  the  barbarity  of  captain  Wallace 
on  Conanicut  ifland,  ere  this  reaches  your  hands. 

About  a  hundred  and  fifty  more  of  the  poor  inhabitants  are 
come  out  of  Boilon.  The  fmall-pox  rages  all  over  the  town  : 
fuch  of  the  military  as  had  it  not  before,  are  now  under  inocula- 
tion. This,  I  apprehend,  is  a  weapon  of  defence  they  are  ufing 
againft  us.  v\hat  confirms  me  in  this  opinion,  is,  that  I  have 
information  that  they  are  tearing  up  the  pavement,  to  be' pro- 
vided again  11  a  bombardment. 

'•  *  I  wrote 


54  GENERAL  WASHINGTON'S 

I  wrote  you  this  day  by  Meffrs.  Fennel  and  De  Pliarne,  who 
will  lay  before  the  Congrefs,  or  a  committee  thereof,  propofals 
for  furnifhing  the  continent  with  arms  and  ammunition.  I  refer 
you  to  themfelves  for  further  particulars. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c,  G.  W« 


Chelfea,  Decemb,   1 6,   1775. 

OBSERVATIONS    OF    THE    DAY. 

LAST  evening,  eight  men  came  in  a  boat  from  Bofton, 
to  our  guard  at  the  ferry, — fix  of  them  captains  of  veffels. — 
They  brought  the  following  account : 

Vefterday,  one,  large  mortar  was  carried  over  to  Bunker's 
hill  : — the  troops  filling  water,  carrying  it  on  board  the  tranf- 
ports : — provifions  fcarce, — not  more  than  fufficient  for  fix 
weeks.  One  regiment  of  foot,  and  three  companies  ol  the  light 
horfe,  fail  for  Halifax  this  day. 

Dorchejter,  December  16,   1775. 

Sailed  out  of  Bofton  harbor  this  morning,  eight  large  and 
two  fmall  veffels,  taken  to  be  tenders  j — by  their  firing,  appear- 
ed to  be  going  a  voyage  out  to  fea. 

Mr.  Joftiua  Pico  came  laft  night  from  Bofton.  He  con- 
firms the  information  that  the  regiment  of  foot,  and  fome  com- 
panies of  the  light  horfe,  were  preparing  to  embark  for  Hali- 
fax. 

SIR,  Cambridge,  December  16,   1775. 

The  information,  contained  in  the  above,  coming  fo  many 
different  ways,  corroborated  by  feveral  veffels  having  failed  this 
day  from  Bofton, — I  thought  it  my  duty  to  tranfmit  it  to  you. 
Though  Halifax  is  the  place  given  out  for  their  deftination,  it 
is  portible  they  may  be  bound  elfewhere.  I  mail  communicate 
this  intelligence  to  governors  Cooke  and  Trumbull,  and  to  the 
convention  of  New- York,  for  their  government, 

J  remain,  fir,  your  moil  obedient,  &c.  G.  W. 


OFFICIAL    LETTERS.  55 

SIR,  Cambridge,  Decemb*  19,   1775, 

CAPTAIN  Manly,  of  the  Lee  armed  fchooner,  took  and 
fent  into  Beverly  the  iloop  Betfey,  A.  Atkinfon  mafter.  She 
is  an  armed  veffel,  difpatched  by  lord  Dunmore,  with  Indian 
corn,  potatoes,  and  oats,  for  the  army  in  Bofton.  The  packets 
of  letters  found  on  board,  1  have  the  honor  to  fend  you  with, 
this  by  captain  James  Chambers,  they  being  of  fo  much  im- 
portance, that  I  do  not  think  it  would  be  prudent  to  truft  them 
by  a  common  exprefs. 

As  lord  Dunmore's  fchemes  are  fully  laid  open  in  thefe  let- 
ters, I  need  not  point  out  to  the  Congrefs  the  neceflity  there  is 
of  a  vigorous  exertion  being  adopted  by  them,  to  difpoffefs  his 
lordmip  of  the  ftrong  hold  he  has  got  in  Virginia. — I  do  not 
mean  to  dictate  j  but  I  am  fure  they  will  pardon  me  for  giving 
them  freely  my  opinion,  whiqh  is,  that  the  fate  of  America  a 
good  deal  depends  on  his  being  obliged  to  evacuate  Norfolk 
this  winter,  or  not. 

I  have  Kirkland  well  fecured,  and  think  I  will  fend  him  to 
you  for  examination.  By  moft  of  the  letters  relative  to  him, 
he  is  a  dangerous  fellow.  John  Stewart's  letters  and  papers  are 
of  a  very  interefting  nature.  Governor  Tonyn's  and  many- 
other  letters  from  Auguftine  mew  the  weaknefs  of  the  place  j 
at  the  fame  time,  of  what  vaft  confequence  it  would  be  for  us 
to  poiTefs  ourfelves  of  it,  and  the  great  quantity  of  ammunition 
contained  in  the  forts. — Indeed  thefe  papers  are  of  fo  great  con- 
fequence, that  I  think  this  but  little  inferior  to  any  prize  our 
famous  Manly  has  taken. 

We  now  work  at  our  eafe  on  Leechmore's  hill.  On  difco- 
vermg  our  party  there  yefterday  morning,  the  fhip  which  lay 
oppofite  began  a  cannonade,  to  which  Mount  Horam  added 
fome  fhells. — One  of  our  men  was  wounded. — We  fired  a  few 
mot  from  two  eighteen-pounders  which  are  placed  on  Coble- 
hill,  and  foon  obliged  the  fhip  to  flxift  her  ftation.  She  now 
lies  in  the  ferry-way:  and,  except  a  few  (hells  from  the  mount 
in  Bofton  (which  do  no  execution),  we  have  no  interruption  in 
profecuting  our  works,  which  will  in  a  very  fhort  time  be  com- 
pleted. \Vhen  this  is  done, — when  we  have  powder  to  fpqrt 
with, — I  think,  if  the  Congrefs  refolve  on  the  execution"of  the 
propofal  made  relative  to  the  town  of  Boilon,  it  can  be  done. 

I  have  fent  a  letter  in  this  day  to  general  Howe,  of  which  a 
copy  goes  herewith.  My  reafon  for  pointing  out  brigadier-ge- 
neral Prefcot  as  the  objecl:  who  is  to  fufrer  Mr.  Allen's  fate, 
is,  that,  by  letters  from  general  Schuyler,  and  copies  of  letters 

froui 


.5*  GENERAL  WASHINGTON'S 

from  general  Montgomery  to  Schuyler,  I  am  given  to  under- 
ftaRd  that  Prefcot  is  the  caufe  of  Allen's  fufferings. — I  thought 
it  beft  to  be  decifivc  on  the  cccafion,  as  did  the  generals  whom 
I  confulted  thereon. 

The  returns  of  men  emitted  iince  my  laft,  amount  to  about 
eighteen  hundred,  making  in  the  whole  feven  thoufand  one 
hundred  and  forty.  The  militia  that  are  come  in,  both  from 
this  province  and  New-Hampfr,ire,  are  very  fine-looking  men, 
and  go  through  their  duty  with  great  alacrity.  The  difpatch 
made,  both  by  the  people  in  marching  and  by  the  legislative 
powers  in  complying  with  my  requiiition,  has  given  me  infinite 
fati'sfaction. 

Your  letter  of-  the  eighth  inilant,  with  the  explanatory  re- 
folve  refpe&ing  my  calling  forth  the  militia  and  minute-men,  is 
come  to  hand;  to  which  I  {hall  pay  all  clue  attention.  You 
have  removed  all  the  difficulties  which  I  labored  under,  about 
the  two  battalions  of  marines.  I  (hall  obey  the  orders  of  Con- 
jgrefs  in  looking  out  for  proper  officers  to  command  that  corps. 
I  make  no 'doubt  b-ut,-  when  the  money  arrives  to  pay  off"  the 
arrears  and  the  month's  advance,  that  it  will  be  a  great  encou- 
ragement for  the  men  to  enlifr. 

laclofed  is  a  letter  I  lately  received  from  Mr.  James  Lovell. 
His  cafe  is  truly  pitiable.  I  wiih  fume  mode  could  be  fallen 
Upon  to  relieve  him  from,  the  cruel  fituation  he  is  now  in. —  I 
am  fenfibie  of  the  impropriety  of  exchanging  a  foldiei  for  a  ci- 
tizen :  but  there  is  fo  me  thing  fo  cruelly  difireffing  in  regard  to 
this  gentleman,  that  I  dare  fay  you  will  take  it  under  your  con- 
^deration. 

I  am,  with  great  refpecl,  &c.  G,  W, 


SIR,  Cambridge^  Dec.  25,   1775. 

I  HAD  the  honor  to  acldrefs  myfelf  to  you  on  the  nine- 
teenth inftant,  fmce  which  I  have  received  undoubted  infor- 
mation that  the  genuine  in  (I  ructions  given  to  Conolly  have  not 
reached  your  hands;  that  they  are  very  artfully  concealed  in 
the  tree  of  his  faddle,  and  covered  with  canvas  fo  nicely  that 
they  are  fcarcely  difcerniblc  j  that  thofe  which  were  found  up- 
on him  were  intended  to  dtc:.ivt.-,  if  he  were  caught. — You  wiil 
moil  certainly  have  his  faddle  taken  to  pieces,  in  order  to  dli- 
cover  this  deep-laid  plot. 

Inclofcd  is  a  cooy  of  general  llowe^s  letter  in  anfwer  to  the 
'one  I  wrote  him  the  eighteenth  iaflaut.     The  conducl  I  am  to 

obfervc 


OFFICIAL     LETTERS.  57 

obferve  towards  brigadier  Prefect  in  confequence  of  thefe  let- 
ters, the  Congrefs  will  oblige  me  by  determining  for  me. 

The  gentlemen  by  whom  you  fent  the  money  are  arrived. 
The  fum  they  brought,  though  large,  is  not  fufficient  to  anfwet 
the  demands  of  the  army,  which  at  this  time  are  remarkably 
heavy  :  there  is  three  month's  pay  due,  one  month's  advance, 
two  dollars  for  each  blanket, — the  arms,  that  are  left  by  thofe 
•who  are  difmiffed,  to  be  paid  for, — beiides  the  demands  which 
are  on  the  commiffary  and  quarter-mailer-generals.  You  will 
therefore  fee  the  neceffity  of  another  remittance,  which  I  beg 
may  be  as  foon  as  you  conveniently  can. 

I  will  take  the  opportunity  of  the  return  of  thefe  gentlemen, 
to  fend  colonel  Kirkland  to  you  for  examination,  and  that  you 
may  difpofe  of  him  as  to  you  may  feem  proper. 

A  committee  from  the  general  court  of  this  province  called  on. 
me  the  other  day,  informing  me  that  they  were  in  great  want  o£ 
ordnance  for  the  defence  of  the  colony  j  that,  if  what  belonged 
to  them,  now  in  ufe  here,  was  kept  for  the  continent,  they 
would  be  under  the  neceffity  of  providing  themfelves  with  o- 
thers  :  of  courfe  what  is  kept  muft  be  paid  for.  There  are  ma- 
ny of  the  cannon  of  very  little  ufe  :  fuch  of  them  as  are  good, 
I  cannot  at  prefent  part  with  :  perhaps  when  I  receive  the  fup- 
ply  from  New- York  and  Canada,  it  may  be  in  my  power  to 
ipare  them. 

Mr.  Wadfworth  has  fent  in  his  report  refpe&ing  Cape-Cod 
harbor,  a  copy  of  which  you  will  receive  herewith  j  alfo  a  let- 
ter fiom  Mr.  Jacob  Bailey,  put  into  my  hands  by  colonel  Lit- 
tle. »  It  contains  fome  things  that  may  not  be  unworthy  the  con- 
fideration  of  Congrefs. 

We  have  made  good  progrefs  in  the  works  on  Leechmore's 
point.  They  would  have  been  finiftied  ere'  this,  but  for  the 
feverity  of  the  weather,  which  prevents  our  people  from  working. 

I  received  a  letter  from  governor  Cooke,  which  exprefies 
the  fears  of  the  people  of  Rhode-Iiland,  left  the  fnips,  which 
we  had  information  were  failed  with  fome  troops  on  board, 
were  deftined  for  Newport.  I  fent  major-general  Lee.  there, 
to  point  out  to  them  fuch  defence  as  he  may  think  the  place  ca- 
•pable  of.  I  {incereiy  wi(h  he  may  be  able  to  do  it  with  effect, 
as  that  place,  in  its  prefent  ftate,  is  an  afyluia  for  fuch  as  are 
difaftecled  to  American  liberty. 

Our  returns  of  enliitments,  to  this  day,  amount  to  eight 
thoufand  five  hundred  men. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c.  G.  W* 

P.  S.     Inclofed  is  an  eftlmate  o£  the  demands  of  the  army. 
H  *^J      Cam* 


&  GENERAL  WASPIINGTON** 

SIR,  Cambridge,  Dec.  31, 

I  WROTE  to  you  the  twenty-fifth  inftsnt  -,  fince  which 
I  am  not  honored  with  any  of  your  favors.  The  eftimate  I 
then  inclofed  you  was  calculated  to  pay  the  troops,  &c.  up  to 
the  firil  of  January.  That  cannot  he  done  for  want  of  funds  in 
the  paymafter-general's  hands  \  which  caufes  a  great  murmur- 
ing amongft  thofe  who  are  going  off. — The  monthly  expenfes  of 
this  army  amount  to  near  two  hundred  and  feventy-nve  thou- 
fand  dollars,  which  I  take  the  liberty  of  recommending  to  the 
obiervation  of  Congrefs,  that  their  future  remittances  may  be 
governed  thereby. 

It  fometimes  happens  that  perfons  would  wiih  to  depofit  mo- 
ney in  the  hands  of  the  paymailer-general,  for  his  bills  on  the 
trcafury  at  Philadelphia.  He  has  hitherto  declined  fuch  offers, 
not  having  authority  from  Congrefs  to  draw. — Would  it"  not  be 
proper  to  give  this  power  ? — If  it  fhould  be  approved  of,  you 
will  pleafe  to  point  out  the  mode  that  the  Congrefs  would  chufe 
to  have  it  done  in. 

The  clothing  fent  to  the  quarter-mafler-general  is  not  fuffici- 
ent  to  put  half  our  army  into  regimentals  \  nor  is  there  a  pofli- 
bility  of  getting  any  quantity  here.  I  have  wrote  to  general 
Schuyler,  that  I  wifli  what  was  lodged  at  Albany  could  be  fpar- 
cd  for  thefe  troops,  as  general  Montgomery  would  clothe  the 
•men  under  his  command  at  Montreal.  If  this  can  be  done,  it 
will  be  of  infinite  fervice  j  and  no  time  fhould  be  loll  in  for- 
warding them  to  this  camp. 

In  forming  the  regiments  for  the  new  eflablilhment,  I  thought 
it  but  juftice  to  appoint  the  officers,  detached  under  co]onel 
Arnold,  to  commiilions  in  them.  Their  abfence  at  prefent  is 
of  very  great  detriment  to  the  fervice,  efpecially  in  recruiting: 
I  would  therefore  wifh,  if  the  Congrefs  intend  railing  troops  in 
or  for  Canada,  that  they  could  be  taken  in  there.  The  fooner 
I-  have  their  opinion  of  this  matter,  the  better,  that,  if  they 
can  be  commiflioned  in  Canada,  I  may  appoint  officers  here  to 
•replace  them. 

Inclofed  you  have  a  copy  of  a  representation  fent  to  me  by 
the  legiflative  body  of  this  province,  refpefting  four  companies 
Rationed  at  Braintree,  Weymouth,  and  Hingham.  As  they 
wcie  never  regimented,  and  were  doing  duty  at  a  diftance  from 
the  reft  of  the  army,  I  did  not  know  whether  to  confider  them 
as  a  part  of  it  \  nor  do  I  think  myfelf  authorifed  to  direct  pay- 
ment for  them  without  the  approbation  of  Congrefs. 

It  hsf  heen  reprefented  to  me  that  the  free  negroes  who  have 

ferved 


OFFICIAL   LETTER  5*  S9s 

ferved  in  this  army  are  very  much  diffatisfied  at  being  difcard.-, 
ed.  As  it  is  to  be  apprehended  they  may  feel:  employ  in  the 
miniiteTial  army,  I  have  prcfumed  to  depart  from  the  refolutiou 
refpe&ing  them,  and  have  given  licence  for  their  being  enlu'led. 
If  this  is  difapproved  of  by  Congrefs,  I  will  put  a  ftop  to  it. 

*  *  *  I  muft  remark  that  the  pay  of  the  affiftant  engi- 
neers is  fo  very  fraall,  that  we  cannot  expecl:  men  of  icience 
will  engage  in  it.  Thofe  gentlemen,  who  are  in  that  (lation, 
remained  under  the  expectation  that  an  additional  allowance 
would  be  made  them  by  the  refpe&ive  provinces  in  which  they, 
were  appointed,  to  that  allowed  by  the  Congrefs. 

Captain  Freeman  arrived  this  day  at  camp  from  Canada.  He 
left  Quebec  the  twenty-fourth  ultimo,  in  confequence  of  gene- 
ral Carleton's  proclamation,  which  I  have  the  honor  to  fend 
you  herewith.  He  faw  colonel  Arnold  the  twenty-lixth,  and 
fays  that  he  was  joined,  at  Point-a-tremble,  by  general  Mont- 
gomery, the  firft  inttant  -y — that  they  were  about  two  thoufand 
ftrong,  and  were  making  every  preparation  for  attacking  Que- 
bec ; — that  general  Carleton  had  with  him  about  twelve  hun- 
dred men,  the  majority  of  whom  are  failors; — that  it  was  his 
opinion  the  French  would  give  up  the  place  if  they  get  the 
fame  conditions  granted  to  the  inhabitants  of  Montreal.  *  *  * 

Captains  Semple  and  Harbefon  take  under  their  care  Mr. 
Kirkland.  *  *  *  Captain  Mathews  and  Mr.  Robinfon  will  ac- 
company them.  The  two  latter  were  taken  prifoners  by  lord 
Dunmore,  who  was  fending  them  to  Bdfton,  from  whence  there 
is  little  doubt  but  they  would  be  forwarded  to  England,  to 
\vhich  place  I  arn  credibly  informed  captain  Martindale  and  the 
crew  of  the  Wafhington  are  fentj  alfo  colonel  Allen,  and  the 
prifoners  taken  with  him  in  Canada.  This  may  account  for  ge- 
neral Howe's  filence  on  the  fubjeft  of  an  exchange  of  prifoners 
mentioned  in  my  letter  to  him. 

General  Lee  is  juft  returned  from  his  excurfion  to  Rhode-  ' 
Ifiand : — he  has  pointed  out  the  the  beft  method  the  iiland  would 
admit  of  for  its  defence : — he  has  endeavored  all  in  his  power  to 
make  friends  of  thofe  \vlio  were  our  enemies.  You  have,  in- 
clofed,  a  fpecimen  of  his  abilities  in  that  way,  for  your  perufal, 
I  am  of  opinion  that,  if  the  fame  plan  was  purfued  through 
every  province,  it  would  have  a  very  good  effecl.  "  , 

I  have  long  had  it  on  my  mind  to  mention  to  Congrefs  that 
frequent  applications  had  been  made  to  me  refpe&ing  the  chap- 
JUin's  pay,  which  is  too  fmall  to  encourage  men  of  abilities. 
Some  of  them,  who  have  left  their  flocks,  are  obliged  to  pay 
the  parfon  a  cling  for  them,  more  than  they  Deceive.  I  need  not 

point 


Ct  GENERAL  WASHINGTON1? 

point  on:  the  great  utility  of  gentlemen  v/hofe  lives  and  conver- 
fation  art  unexceptionable,  being  employed  for  that  fervice,  in 
this  army.  There  are  two  ways  of  making  it  worth  the  atten- 
tion of  ioch  :  one  is  an  advancement  of  their  pay  ;  the  other, 
that  one  chaplain  be  appointed  to  two  regiments.  This  laft,  I 
think,  may  be  done  wilhout  inconvenience.  —  I  beg  leave  to  re- 
commend this  matter  to  Congrefs,  whofe  fentiments  hereon  I 
ihall  impatiently  expect. 

Upon  a  farther  converfation  with  captain  Freeman,  he  is  of 
opinion  that  general  Montgomery  has  with  him  near  three  thou- 
fand  men,  including  colonel  Arnold's.  He  fays  that  loid  Pitt 
had  received  repeated  orders  from  his  father  to  return  home  5 
in  confequence  of  which,  he  had  embarked  fome  time  ia  Oc- 
tober, with  a  captain  Green  who  was  m alter  of  a  vefiel  belong- 
ing to  Philadelphia. 

By  a  number  of  falutes  in  Bofton  harbor  yefterday,  I  fancy 
admiral  Sheldam  is  arrived. — Two  large  {hips  wtre  feen  com- 
ing in. 

Our  enlirhnents  now  amcnint  to  cine  thoufand  fix  hundred  and 
fifty. 

Thofe  gentlemen,  who  were  rr.ade  prifoners  by  lord  Dun- 
more,  being  left  deftitute  of  money  and  neceffaries,  I  have  ad- 
vanced them  a  hundred  pounds  lawful  money  belonging  to  the 
public,  for  which  I  have  taken  captain  Mathews's  draught  on 
the  treafury  of  Virginia,  which  goes  inclofed. 

J  have  the  honor  to  be,  &.c.  G.  W. 

P.  S.     You  have,  inclofed,  the  returns  of  the  army. 


SIR,  Cambridge -,  January  4,   1776, 

SINCE  my  laft  of  the  thirty-firft  ultimo,  I  have  been  ho- 
nored with  your  favor  of  the  twenty-fecond,  inclofiBg  fundry 
yefolves,  which  mail,  in  matters  they  refpe&,  be  made  the  rule 
of  my  conduct. 

refolution  relative  to  the  troops  in  Eofton,  I  beg  the 
favor  cf  you,  fir,  to  afiure  the  Congrefs,  (hall  be  attempted  to 
be  put  in  execution  the  fiift  moment  1  fee  a  probability  of  fuc- 
cefs,  and  in  fuch  a  way  as  a  council  of  officers  /hall  think  molt 
likely  to  produce  it  :  but  if  this  fhould  not  happen  as  foon  as 
you  may  expect  or  rny  wifhts  prompt  to,  1  requeft  that  Con- 
^rrefs  may  be  pleafed  to  advert  to  my  iituation,  and  do  me  the 
juftice  to  believe,  that  circumftunces,  and  not  want  of  inclina- 
is  the  caufe  of  dt:hty. 


CiAL    LETTERS^.  6c 

It  is  not  in  the  pages  of  hiftory,  perhaps,  to  furniih  a  cafe 
like  ours  :  —  to  maintain  a  poll  within  mufket-fhot  of  the  enemy, 
for  fix  months  together,  without  *  ,  and  at  the  fame  time 

to  difband  one  army,  and  recruit  another,  within  that'diftance 
of  twenty-odd  Britith  regiments,  —  -is  more,  probably.'  than  ever 
was  attempted.  But  if  we  fucceed~as  well  in  the  laft;  as  we 
have  heretofore  in  the  firft,  I  ihall  think  it  the  moil  fortunate 
event  of  my  whole  life. 

By  a  very  intelligent  gentleman,  a  Mr.  Hutchinfon,  from 
BoftoR,  I  learn,  that  it  was  admiral  Shuldham  that  came  into 
the  harbor  on  faturday  laft:  j  —  that  two  of  the  five  regiments 
from  Cork  are  arrived  at  Halifax  ;—  two  others  have  foiled  for 
Quebec  j  but  what  was  become  of  them,  could  not  be  told  ;— 
and  the  other  (the  fifty-fifth)  has  juil  got  into  Boflon.  Certain 
it  is  alfo,  that  the  greater  part  of  the  feventeenth  regir;-nt  is 
arrived  there.  Whtther  we  are  to  conclude  from  hence  that 
more  than  five  regiments  have  been  fent  out,  or  'that  the  com- 
panies of  the  feventeenth,  arrived  at  Boitpn,  are  part  of  trie  re- 
giroents  deftined  for  Halifax  and  Quebec,  I  know  not. 

We  alfo  learn  from  this  gentleman  and  others,  that  the 
troops,  embarked  for  Halifax  (as  mentioned  in  my  letter  of  the 
iixteenth)  were  really  deiigned  for  that  place,  but  recalled 
from  Nantafket  road,  upon  advice  being  received  of  the  above 
regiments  there.  I  am  alfo  informed  of  a  fleet  now  getting  - 
ready  under  the  convoy  of  the  Scarborough  and  Foweymei: 
war,  —  confiiiing  of  five  tra'nfports  and  two  bomb  veffels,  with 
about  three  hundred  marines,  and  feveral  flat  bottomed  boats. 
It  is  whifpered  that  they  are  defigned  for  Newport,  but  gene- 
rally thought  in  Boiton,  that  it  is  meant  for  Long-Ifland:  and 
it  is  probable  it  will  be  followed  by  more  troops,  as  the  other 
tranlports  are  taking  in  water,  —  to  He,  -as  others  fay,  in  Nan- 
tajket  road,  to  be  out  of  the  ice.  A  large  quantity  of  bifcuit 
ii  alfo  baking. 

As  the  real  defign  cannot  with  certainty  be  knowtr^  I  fubmit 
it,  with  all  due  deference,  to  the  fuperior  judgment  of  Congrefs, 
whether  it  would  not  be  confident  with  prudence,  to  have  fome 
of  the  Jerfey  troops  thrown  into  New-  York,  to  prevent  an  evil, 
which  would  be  almoft  irremediable,  mould  it  happen,  —  I  mean, 
the  landing  of"  troops  at  that  place,  or  upon  Lond-lHand, 
near  it. 

As  it  is  poffible  you  may  not  yet  have  received  his  majefty's 


*  'Left  blank  in  the  origiimlto  ^udrd  againft  the  dangtr  ofmif- 
arrwg^.—  Read,  "  without  powder," 


62  GENERAL  WASHINGTON'S 

**  mofl  gracious'*'1  fpeech,  I  do  myfelf  the  honor  to  inclofe  one 
of  many,  which  were  fent  out  of  Boflon  yefterday.  It  is  full 
of  *  *  .*,  and  explicitly  holds  forth  his  royal  will  to  be,  that 
vigorous  meafures  muft  be  purfued,  to  deprive  us  of  our  *  *  *^ 
Thefe  meafures,  whatever  they  be,  I  hope  will  be  oppofed  by 
more  vigorous  ones,  and  rendered  unavailing  and  fruitlefs, 
though  fan&ioned  and  authorifed  by  the  name  of  majeily, — a 
name,  which  ought  to  promote  the  blefiings  of  his  people,  and 
not  their  oppreffion. 

I  am,  fir,  &c,  G,  W, 


SIR,  Cambridge,  Jan.  n,  1776. 

EVERY  account  I  have  out  of  Bofton,  confirms  the  em- 
barkation of  troops  mentioned  in  my  laft,  which,  from  the  fea- 
fon  of  the  year,  and  other  circumflances,  muft  be  deftined  for 
forne  expedition  to  the  fouthward  of  this.  I  have  therefore 
thought  it  prudent  to  fend  major-general  Lee  to  New- York.  I 
have  given  him  letters  recommendatory  to  governor  Trumbull, 
and  to  the  committee  of  fafety  at  New-York.  I  have  good 
hopes  that  in  Conne&icut  he  will  get  many  volunteers,  who  (I 
have  fome  reafon  to  think)  will  accompany  him  on  this  expedi- 
tion, without  more  expenfe  to  the  continent  than  their  mainte- 
nance. But'fhould.  it  be  otherwile,  and  that  they  ihould  ex- 
pe&  pay,  I  think  it  is  a  trifling  confideration,  when  put  in  com- 
petition with  the  importance  of  the  objecl,  which  is  to  put  the 
city  of  New-York,  with  fuch  parts  of  the  North  river  and 
Long-Iiland  as  to  him  fhall  feem  proper,  in  that  ftate  of  de- 
fence,  which  the  feafon  of  the  year  and  circumftances  will  ad- 
mit of, — fo  as,  if  poflible,  to  prevent  the  enemy  from  forming 
a  lodgment  in  that  government,  which,  I  am  afraid,  contains 
too  many  perfons  diiaffecled  to  the  caufe  of  liberty  and  Ame- 
xlca.  I  have  alfo  wrote  to  lord  Stirling  to  give  him  all  the  af- 
fiilance  that  he  can  with  the  troops  under  his  command,  in  the 
continental  fervice,  provided  it  does  not  interfere  with  any  or* 
ders  he  may  receive  from  Congrefs  relative  to  them, 

I  hope  the  Congrefs  will  approve  of  my  conduct  in  fending 
general  Lee  on  this  expedition  :— -I  am  fure  I  mean  it  well  j  as 
experience  teaches  us  that  it  is  much  eaiier  to  prevent  an  ene- 
my from  polling  themfelves,  than  it  is  to  diflodge  them  after 
they  have  got  poffefiion. 

The  evening  of  the  eighth  inftant,  a  party  of  our  men,  under 
the  command  of  major  Kaoulton,  were  ordered  to  go  and  burn 

feme 


•'*., 
OFFICIAL    LETTERS.  6$ 

fome  houfes  which  lay  at  the  foot  of  Bunker's-hill,  and  at  the 
head  of  Charleftown.  They  were  alfo  ordered  to  bring  off  the 
guard,  which,  we  expected,  confiited  of  an  officer  and  thirty 
men.  They  croffed  the  milhdam  about  half  after  eight  o'clock, 
and  gallantly  executed  their  bufinefs, — having  burned  eight 
houfes,  and  brought  with  them,  a  ferjeant  and  four  privates  of 
the  tenth  regiment.  There  was  but  one  man  more  there,  who* 
making  fome  refiftance,  they  were  obliged  to  difpatch.  The 
gun  that  killed  him  was  the  only  one  difcharged  by  our  men, 
though  fevcral  hundred  were  fired  by  the  enemy  from  within 
their  works,  but  in  fo  confufed  a  manner,  that  not  one  of  our 
people  was  hurt. 

Our  enliftments  go  oh  very  heavily. 

I  am,  with  great  refpect,  &c.  >G.  W* 


SIR,  Cambridge,  Jan.  14,  1776* 

I  AM  exceedingly  forry  that  I  am  under  the  neceffity  of 
Applying  to  you,  and  calling  the  attention  of  Congrefs  to  the 
ftate  of  our  arms,  which  is  truly  alarming.  Upon  the  diffolu- 
tion  of  the  old  army,  I  was  apprehenfive  that  the  new  would  be 
deficient  in  this  inftance  :  and,  that  the  want  might  be  as  in- 
confiderable  as  poffible,  I  gave  it  out  in  orders,  that  the  arms 
of  fuchmen  as  did  not  re-enlift  (or  fuch  of  them  as  were  good) 
mould  be  retained  at  the  prices  which  fhould  be  affixed  by  per- 
fons  appointed  to  infpe<5l  and  value  them  :  and,  that  we  might 
be  fure  of  them,  I  added  that  there  would  be  a  ftoppage  of  pay 
for  the  months  of  November  and  December,  from  thofe  who 
fhould  carry  their  firelocks  away  without  their  being  firft  exa^- 
mined.  I  hoped,  by  thefe  precautions,  to  have  procured  a  con- 
fiderable  number  :  but,  fir,  I  find  with  much  concern,  that  from 
the  badnefs  of  the  arms,  and  the  difobedience  of  too  many  in 
bearing  them  off  without  a  previous  infpeclion, — very  few  were 
collected.  Neither  are  we  to  expe&that  many  will  be  brought 
in  by  the  new  recruits,  the  officers,  who  are  out  enlifling,  hav- 
ing reported  that  few  men  who  have  arms  will  enlilt  in  the  fer- 
vice  j  and  that  they  are  under  the  difagreeable  alternative  of 
taking  men  without  arms,  or  of  getting  none.  Unhappy  fitua- 
tion,  and  much  to  be  deplored  ! — efpecially  when  we  have 
every  reafon  to  convince  us,  that  we  have  to  contend  with  a 
formidable  army,  well  provided  of  every  neceffary  -y  and  that 
there  will  be  a  moft  vigorous  exertion  of  miniflerial  vengeance 
againft  us,  as  foon  as  they  think  themfelves  in  a  condition  for 

it, 


6"4  GENERAL  WASHINGTON'S 

it.  I  hope  it  is  in  the  power  of  Congrefs  to  afford  us  relief:— 
if  It  is  not,  what  muft,  what  can  be  done  ? 

Our  treafury  is  almoft  exhauited,  and  the  demands  againft  it 
very  confiderable.  A  eonftant  fupply  of  money,  to  anfwer  every 
claim  and  exigency,  would  much  promote  the  good  of  the  fer- 
vice.  In  the  common  affairs  of  life,  it  is  ufeful :  in  war,  it  is 
abfolutely  necelTary  and  effential.  I  would  beg  leave,  too,  to 
remind  you  of  the  tents,  and  their  impertance, — hoping  that 
if  an  opportunity  has  offered,  you  have  procured  them.  I  fear 
that  our  army  will  not  be  railed  to  the  new  eftablifhment  in  any 
rcafonable  time,  if  ever :  the  enlifling  goes  on  fo  very  (lowr 
that  it  almoft  feems  at  an  end. 

In  my  letter  of  the  fourth  inftant,  I  wrote  you  that  I  had  re- 
ceived certain  intelligence  from  a  Mr.  Hutchiiifon  and  others, 
that  two  of  the  five  regiments  from  Cork  were  arrived  at  Hali- 
fax, one  at  Bofton,  and  the  two  others  had  failed  for  Quebec, 
and  had^not  been  heard  of.  I  am  now  allured  (as  a  matter  to 
be  relied  on)  by  four  captains  of  (hips,  who  left  England  about 
the  fecond  of  November,  and  who  appear  to  be  men  of  vera- 
city, that  the  whole  of  theie  regiments  (except  the  twro  com- 
panies that  arrived  at  Bofton  iome  time  ago),  when  they  failed, 
were  at  Milford  Haven,  where  they  had  been  obliged  to  put 
in,  by  a  violent  florm,  the  nineteenth  of  October ;  that  they 
would  not  be  able  to  leave  it  for  a  confiderable  time,  as  they 
were  under  the  neceflity  of  repairing  their  veffels,  and  getting 
fome  new  ones  taken  up. — Such  is  the  uncertainly  and  contra- 
diction in  what  I  now  hear,  that  it  is  not  poflible  to  know  what 
to  believe  or  difbelieve. 

I  wrote  to  tke  general  court  yerterday,  and  to  the  conventi- 
on of  New-Hampfhire,  immediately  upon  feeing  the  great  defi- 
ciency in  our  arms, — praying  that  they  would  intereft  them- 
felves  in  the  matter,  and  furnuli  rne  with  all  in  their  power. 
Whether  I  {hail  get  any,  or  what  quantity,  I  cannot  determine, 
not  having  received  their  anfwers.— - -The  fame  'application  will 
be  made  to  the  governments  of  Connecticut  and  Rhode-Ifland. 

I'  do  myfelf  the  honor  to  fend  you  fundry  newfpapers  I  re- 
ceived from  the  above-mentioned  captains,  as  they  may  be  later 
than  any  you  have  feen,  and  contain  fome  interelling  intelli- 
gence. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c.  G.  W. 


Cam- 


OFFICIAL   LETTERS.  6$ 

SIR,  Cambridge,  Jan.  19,  1776. 

TAKING  it  for  granted  that  general  Schuyier  lias  not 
only  informed  you  of  the  fall  of  the  brave  and  much-to-be-la- 
rnented  general  Montgomery,  but  of  the  fituation  of  our  affairs 
in  Canada  (as  related  by  general  Woofter,  colonel  Arnold,  co- 
lonel Campbell,  and  others),  I  (ball  not  take  up  much  more  o£ 
your  time  on  this  fubject,  than  is  necefTary  to  inclofe  you  a  copy 
of  his  letter  to  me,  with  the  refult  thereon,  as  appears  by  the 
council  of  war,  which  1  immediately  fummohed  on  the  occafion, 
and  at  which  Mr.  Adams,  by  my  particular  deiire,  was  good 
enough  to  attend. 

It  may  appear  ftrange,  fir,  as  I  had  not  men  to  fpare  from 
thefe  lines,  that  I  mould  prefume  (without  firft  fending  to  Con- 
grefs, and  obtaining  an  exprefs  direction)  to  recommend  to  the 
governments  of  Maffachufetts,  Connecticut,  and  New-Hamp*- 
(hire,  to  raife  each  a  regiment,  on  the  continental  account,  for 
this  fervice.  I  wifh  mofl  ardently  that  the  urgency  of  the  cafe 
would  have  admitted  of  the  delay.  I  wifh  alfo  that  the  purport 
of  general  Schuyler's  letter  had  not,  unavoidably  as  it  were, 
laid  me  under  an  indifpenfable  obligation  to  do  it : — for  having 
informed  you  in  his  letter  (a  copy  of  which  he  inclofed  me)  of 
his  dependence  on  this  quarter,  for  men,  I  thought  you  might 
alfo  have  fome  reliance  on  my  exertions.  This  confideration, 
added  to  my  fears  of  the  fatal  confequences  of  delay, — to  an 
information  of  your  having  defigned  three  thouiand  men  for  Ca- 
nada,— to  a  belief,  'founded  chiefly  on  general  Schuler's  letters, 
that  few  or  none  of  them  were  raifed,— and  to  my  apprehenfi  * 
ons  for  New-York,  which  led  me  to  think,  that  no  troops  could 
be  fpared  from  that  quarter, — induced  me  to  lofe  not  a  mo-' 
mot's  time  in  throwing  in  a  force  there  ,  being  well  affureti 
that  general  Carleton  will  improve,  to  the  utmoft,  the  advanta- 
ges gained,  leaving  no  aitifices  untried,  to  fix  the  Canadians 
and  Indians  (who,  we  find,  are  too  well  difpofed  to  take  part 
with  the  ftrong-eft)  in  his  intereit. 

If  thefe  reafons  are  not  furHcient  to  juflify  my  conducl  in  the 
opinion  of  Congrefs, — if  the  meafure  contravenes  any  resolution 
of  theirs, — they  will  pleafe  to  countermand  the  levying  and 
marching  or  the  regiments  as  foon  as  pofuble,  and  do  me  the 
juilice  to  belive  that  my  intentions  were  good,  if  my  judgment 
has  erred. 

The  Congrefs  will  pleafe  to  obferve,  that  the  meafures  of 
Supporting  our  polls  in  Cana4a  appeared  of  luch  exceeding  great 
importance,  that  the  general  officers  (agreeing,  with  me  in  fen- 

I  ticaent, 


66  GENERAL  WASHINGTON'S 

timent,  and  unwilling  to  lay  any  burden  which  can  poflibly  be 
avoided, — although  it  may  turn  out  an  ill-timed  piece  of  parfi- 
mony)  have  refolved  that  the  three  regiments  for  Canada  (hall 
be  part  of  the  thirteen  militia  regiments  which  were  requelted 
to  reinforce  this  army, — as  appears  by  the  minutes  of  another 
council  of  war,  held  on  the  fixteenth  inftant.  I  ftiall  (being 
much  hurried  and  fatigued)  add  no  more  in  this  letter,  than  my 
duty  to  Congrefs,  and  that  I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c. 

G.  W.    *• 

P.  S.  I  inclofe  you  a  copy  of  my  letter  to  the  government 
of  Maifachufetts,  Connecticut,  and  New-Hampfhire  •,  alfo  a  copy 
of  a  refolution  of  this  colony,  in  anfwer  to  an  application  of 
mine  for  arms. 

Since  writing  the  above,  I  have  been  informed  by  a  meffage 
from  the  general  court  of  MaiTachufetts,  that  they  have  refol- 
ved upon  the  raifing  of  a  regiment  for  Canada,  and  appointed 
the  field  officers  for  it,  in  the  weftern  parts  of  this  government. 
I  am  alfo  informed  by  exprefj?  from  Governor  Trumbull,  that 
lie  and  his  council  of  fafety  had  agreed  upon  the  raifing  of  a 
regiment  for  the  fame  purpofe  j  which  was  anticipating  my  ap- 
plication to  that  government. 

If  commiflions  (and  they  are  applied  for)  are  to  be  given  by 
Congrefs  to  the  three  regiments  going  to  Canada,  you  will 
pleafe  to  have  them  forwarded,  as  I  have  none  by  me  for  that 
jmrpofe. 


SIR,  Cambridge,  Jan.   24,   1776, 

THE  commifTary  general  being  at  length  {recovered]  from 
a  long  and  painful  illnefs,  I  have  it  in  my  power  to  comply 
with  the  requilion  of  Congrefs,  in  forwarding  an  eitimate  of  the 
expenfe  attending  his  office,  as  alfo  that  of  the  quarter-mailer- 
general. 

You  will  pleafe  to  obferve  that  the  comnfiflary,  by  his  ac- 
count of  the  matter,  has  entered  into  no  fpecial  agreement  with 
any  of  the  perfons  he  .has  found  occafion  to  employ  (as  thofe, 
to  Vvhofe  names  fums  are  annexed,  are  of  their  own  fixing),  but 
left  it  to  Congrefs  to  afcertain  their  wages.  I  mall  fay  nothing 
therefore  on  this  head,  farther  than  relates  to  the  propofition 
of  Mr.  *  *  *,  to  be  allowed  one  -eighth  for  his  trouble  and 
the  delivery  of  the  other  feven-eighths  of  provifions,  which  to 
me  appears  exorbitant  in  the  extreme,  however  conformable  it 
may  be  to  cuftom  and  ufage  :  I  therefore  think  that  reafonable 


O  F  F  I  C  I  A  L    L  E  T  T  E  R  S.  6j». 

ftipends  had  better  be'  fixed  upon.     Both  the  quarter-maftcr  . 
and  commiflary-gcnerals  allure  me  that   they  do  not  employ  a 
Jingle  perfon  ufelefsly  :  and  as   I  have   too  good  an  opinion  of 
them  to  think  they  would  deceive  me,  I  believe  them. 

I  mall  take  the  liberty,  in  this  place,  of  recommending  the 
inexpediency,  indeed  the  abfolute  neceffity,  of  appointing  fit 
and  proper  perfons  to  fettle  the  accounts  of  this  army.  To  do 
it  with  piecifion,  requires  time,  care,  and  attention  :  the  longer 
it  is  left  undone,  the  more  intricate  they  will  be,  the  more  lia- 
ble to  error,  and,  difficult  to  explain  and  rectify  ; — as  alfo  the 
perfons  in  whofe  hands  they  are  (if  difpofeq*  to  take  undue  ad- 
vantage) will  be  lefs  fubjeft  to  detection.  I  have  been  as  at- 
tentive as  the  nature  of  my  office  would  admit  of,  in  granting 
warrants  for  money  on  the  paymafter  :  but  it  would  be  abfo- 
Lutely  impoflible  for  me  to  go  into  an  examination  of  all  the  ac- 
counts incident  to  this  army,  and  the  vouchers  appertaining  to 
them,  without  devoting  fo  large  a  portion  of  my  time  to  the 
buunefs,  as  might  not  only  prove  injurious,  but  fatal  to  it  in 
other  refpefts.  This  ought,  in  my  humble  opinion,  to  be  the 
particular  bunnefs  of  a  fele&  committee  of  Congrefs,  or  one 
appointed  by  them,  who,  once  in  three  months  at  furtheit, 
ihould  make  a  fettlement  with  the  officers  in  the  different  de- 
partments. 

Having  met  with  no  encouragement  from  the  governments 
of  Mafl'achufetts  and  New-Hampihire,  from  my  application  for 
arms,  and  expecting  no  better  from  Connecticut  and  Rhode-Ii- 
land,  J  have  as  the  laft  expedient,  fent  one  or  two  officers  from 
each  regiment  into  the  country,  with  money,  to  try  if  they  can 
buy.  In  what  manner  they  fucceed,  Congrefs  fhall  be  informed 
as  foon  as  they  return. 

Congrefs,  in  my  laft,  would  difcover  my  motives  for  ftrength- 
ening  thele  lines  with  the  militia  :  but  whether, — as  the  wea- 
ther turns  out  exceedingly  mild,  infomuch  as  to  promife  no- 
thing favorable  from  ice. — and  no  appearance  of  powderx — I 
ihall  be  able  to  attempt  any  thing  deciuve,  time  only  can  deter- 
mine. No  man  upon  earth  withes  more  ardently  to  dellroy 
the  neft  in  Bolton,  than  I  do  : — no  perfon  would  be  willing  to 
go  greater  lengths  than  I  (hall,  to  accomplifh  it,  if  it  fhall  be 
thought  advifeable.  But  if  we  have  neither  powder  to  bombard 
with,  nor  ice  to  pals  on,  we  ihall  be  in  no  better  fituation  than 
we  have  been  in  all  the  year  ; — we  ihall  be  worfe,  becaufe  their 
works  are  flronger. 

1  have  accounts  from  Bofton,  which  I  think  may  be  relied 
on,  that  general  Clioton,  with  about  four  or  five  hundred  men, 

hath 


68  GENERAL    WASHINGTON!* 

hath  left  that  place  within  thefe  four  days.  Whether  this  is 
part  of  the  detatchment  which  was  making  up  (as  mentioned  in 
my  letter  of  the  fourth  inftant,  and  then  at  Nantafket)  or  not,  is 
not  in  ray  power  to  fay.  If  it  is  defigned  for  new-York  or 
Long-I/land  as  fome  think,  throwing  a  body  of  troops  there 
may  prove  a  fortunate  circumftance.  If  they  go  farther  fouth 
agreeable  to  the  conje&ures  of  others,  1  hope  there  will  be  men 
to  receive  them. 

Notwithftanding  the  pofitive  affertions  of  the  four  captains 
from  Portfmouth,  noticed  in  my  letter  of  the  fourteenth,  I  am 
now  convinced  from  feveral  corroborating  circumftances, — the 
accounts  of  deferters,  and  of  a  lieutenant  Hill,  of  Lord  Percy's 
regiment,  who  left  Ireland  the  fifth  of  November,  and  was  ta- 
ken by  a  privateer  from  Newburyport, — that  the  feventeenth 
and  fifty-fifth  regiments  are  arrived  at  Borlon,  and  other  troops 
at  Halifax,  agreeable  to  the  information  of  Hutchinfon  and  o- 
thers.  Lieutenant  Hill  fays  that  the  tranfports  of  two  regi- 
ments only  were  forced  into  Milford  Haven. 

Cpngrefs  will  think  me  a  little  remifs,  1  fear,  when  I  inform ' 
them  that  I  have  done  nothing  yet  towards  raifing  the  battalions 
of  marines  :  but  I  hope  to  ftand  exculpated  from  blame,  when 
they  hear  the  reafon,  which  was,  that  already  having  twenty-fix 
incomplete  regiments,  I  thought  it  would  be  adding  to  an  ex- 
penfe,  already  great,  in  officers,  to  fet  two  entire  corps  of  offi- 
cers on  foot,  when  perhaps  we  ifhould  not  add  ten  men  a  week 
By  it  to  our  prefent  numbers.  In  this  opinion  the  general  offi- 
cers have  concurred,  which  induced  me  to  fufpend  the  matter 
a  little  longer. — Our  enliftments,  for  the  two  laft  weeks,  have 
not  amounted  to  a  thoufand  men,  and  are  diminishing.  The 
regiment  for  Canada  (it  is  thought)  will  foon  be  filled,  as  the 
men  are  to  chufe  all  but  their  field  officers,  who  are  appointed 
by  the  court. 

On  funday  evening,  thirteen  of  the  Caghnewaga  Indians  ar- 
rived here  on  a  vifit.  I  fhall  take  care  that  they  be  fo  enter- 
tained during  their  ftay,  that  they  may  returned  impreiTed  with 
fentiments  of  friendfhip  for  us,  and  alfo  of  our  great  ftrength, 
One  of  them  is  colonel  Louis,  who  honored  me  with  a  viiit  once 
before. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c,  G.   W, 


O  F.F  I  C  I  A  L    L  E  T  T  E  It  f ,  69 

SIR,  Cambridge,  Jan.  30,  1776.. 

YOUR  favors  of  the  fixth  and  twentieth  inftant  I  receiv- 
ed yefterday,  with  the  feveral  refolves  of  Gongrefs  alluded  to  ; 
for  which  I  return  you  my  thanks.  '.:•»*•"- 

Knowing  the  great  importance  Canada  will  be  of  to  us  in  the 
prefent  interefting  conteft,  and  the  relief  our  friends  there  (land 
in  need  of,  I  mould  be  happy,  were  it  in  my  power  to  detach  a 
battalion  from  this  camp  :  but  it  cannot  be  dpne.  On  the 
nineteenth  inftant,  I  had  the  honor  to  write  to  you,  which  will 
fully  convey  the  resolutions  of  a  council  of  war,  and  the  fenti- 
rnents  of  the  general  officers  here,  as  to  the  propriety  and  expe- 
diency of  fending  troops  from  thefe  lines,  for  the  defence  of 
which  we  have  been  and  now  are  obliged  to  call  in  the  militia; 
— to  which  I  beg  leave  to  refer  you.  You  may  reft  affured 
that  my  endeavors  and  exertions  (hall  not  be  wanting,  toyftU 
urmlate  the  governments  of  Connecticut  and  New~Hamp(hire  to 
raife  and  forward  reinforcements  as  faft  as  poflible  j  nor  in  any 
other  inftance  that  will  promote  the  expedition. 

I  (hall,  in  obedience  to  the  order  of  Congrefs,  though  inter- 
dicted by  general  Howe,  propofe  an  exchange  of  governor 
Skene  for  Mr,  Lovell  and  family,  and  (hall  be  happy  to  have 
an  opportunity  of  putting  this  deferving  man  (who  has  diftin- 
guiihed  his  fidelity  and  regard  to  his  country  to  be  too  gieatfor 
perfecution  and  cruelty  to  overcome)  in  any  pod  agreeable  to 
his  wiihes  and  inclination. 

i  do  not  know  that  there  is  any  particular  rank  annexed  to 
the  office  of  aids-de  camp.  Generally  they  are  captains,  and 
rank  as  fuch  :  but  higher  rank  is  often  given  on  account  of  par- 
ticular merit  and  particular  circumflances. — Aids  to  the  king 
have  the  rank  of  colonels. — Whether  any  diftin&ion  ihould  be 
made  between  thofe  of  your  commander- in-chief  and  the  other 
generals,  I  really  know  not :  I  think  there  ought. 

You  may  rely  that  Conolly  had  inflruclions  concealed  in  his 
iaddle.  Mr.  *  *  *  who  was  one  of  lord  Dunmore's  family," 
and  another  gentleman  who  wiflies  his  name  not  to  mentioned,  faw 
them  cafed  in  tin,  put  in  the  tree,  and  covered  over.  He  pro- 
bably has  exchanged  his  faddle,  or  withdrew  the  papers  when 
it  was  mended,  as  you  conjecture.  Thofe  that  have  been  di£- 
covered  are  fufficiently  bad  j  but  I  doubt  not  of  the  others  be- 
ing worfe,  and  containing 'more  diabolical  and  extenfive  plans. 
1  hope  he  will  be  taken  proper  care  of,  and  meet  with  rewards 
equal  to  his  merits. 

I  mall 


fo  GENERAL  WASHINGTON'* 

I  {hall  appoint  officers  in  the  places  of  thofe  wlio  are  in  Ca- 
nada, as  I  am  fully  perfuaded  they  will  wi(h  to  continue  there, 
for  making  our  conqueft  complete  in  that  quarter. — I  wifti 
their  bravery  and  valor  may  be  attended  with  the  fmiles  of  for- 
tune. 

It  gives  me  great  pleafure  to  hear  of  the  meafures  Congrefs 
are  taking  for  manufacturing  powder.  I  hope  their  endeavors 
will  be  crowned  with  fuccefs.  I  too  well  know  and  regret  the 
want  of  it.  It  is  fcarcely  poffible  to  defcribe  the  difadvantages 
an  army  muft  labor  under,  when  not  provided  with  a  fuffitient 
fupply  of  this  neceffary.  It  may  feem  ftrange,  that,  after  hav- 
ing received  about  eleven  tons,  added  to  about  five  tons  which 
I  found  here,  and  no  general  a6lion  has  happened,  we  (hould 
be  fo  deficient  in  this  article  and  require  more.  But  you  will 
pleafe  to  confider,  that,  bfefides  its  being  in  its  nature  fubjecl:  to 
watte,  and  (whilft  the  men  lay  in  bad  tents)  unavoidably  da- 
maged by  fevere  and  heavy  rains  (which  could  not  have  been 
prevented,  unlefs  it  had  been  entirely  withdrawn  from  the  men, 
and  an  attack  hazarded  againft  us  without  ammunition  in  their 
kands) — the  armed  veflels,  our  own  occafional  firings,  and  fome 
fmall  fupplies  I  have  been  obliged  to  afford  the  fea-port  towns: 
threatened  with  deftru&ion,— "-to  which  may  be  added  the  fup- 
ply to  the  militia,  and  going  off  of  the  old  troops, — have  occa- 
iioned,  and  ever  will,  a  large  eonfumption  of  it,  and  waile,  in 
fpite  of  all  the  care  in  the  world.  The  king's  troops  never 
have  lefs  than  fixty  rounds  a  man  in  their  poffeflion,  indepen- 
dent of  their  ftores.. — To  fupply  an  army  of  twenty  thoufand 
men  in  this  manner,  would  take  near  four  hundred  barrels,  al- 
lowing nothing  for  {lores,  artillery,  &c.  I  have  been  always 
afraid  to  place  more  than  twelve  or  fifteen  rounds  at  a  time  in 
the  hands  of  our  men,  left,  any  accident  happening  to  it,  we 
fliould  be  left  deftitute,  and  be  undone. — I  have  been  thus  pa'r- 
ticular,  not  only  to  (hew  our  poverty,  but  to  exculpate  myfelf 
from  even  a  fufpicion  of  unneceffary  wafte. 

I  (hall  inform  the  paymafler-general  of  the  refolutjon  of  Con-f 
grefs  refpec"Ung  his  draughts,  and  the  mode  and  account  of 
them. 

The  companies  at  Chelfea  and  Maiden  are  and  have  always 
been  regimented. — It  was  not  my  intention  to  replace  with 
continental  troops  the  independent  companies  at  Hingham, 
Weymouth,  and  Braintree.  Thefe  places  are  expofed,  but 
not  more  than  Cape  Ann,  Beverly,  Salem,  Marblehead,  &c, 
&c.  &c. 

Is 


O  £  FT  C I  A  L    LETTERS.  71 

Js  it  the  intention  of  Congrefs  that  the  officers  of  the  army 
(hould  pay  pottage  ? — They  are  not  exempted  by  the  relblve  of 
the  ninth  inftant. 

The  Congrefs  will  be  pleafed,  I  have  no  doubt,  to  recollect 
that  the  five  hundred  thoufand  dollars,  now  coming,  are  but 
little  more  than  enough  to  bring  us  up  to  the  firft  -day  of  this 
month  }  that  to-morrow  will  be  the  laft  of  it:  and,  by  their 
refolves,  the  troops  are  to  be  paid  monthly. 

I  wiih  it  was  in  my  power  to  furnifh  Congrefs  with  fach  a 
general  as  they  defire,  to  fend  to  Canada.  Since  the  unhappy 
reverfe  of  our  affairs  in  that  quarter,  general  Schuyler  has  in- 
formed me,  that,  though  he  had  thoughts  of  declining  the  fer- 
vice  before,  he  would  now  act.  My  le.tter  of  the  eleventh  will 
inform  them  of  general  Lee's  being  at  New- York.  He  will 
be  ready  to  obey  their  orders,  mould  they  incline  to  fend  him  : 
but,  if  I  am  not  greatly  deceived,  he  or  fome  other,  fpirited  a-»- 
ble  officer  will  be  wanted  there  in  the  fpring,  if  not  fooner  j  as 
We  have  undoubted  intelligence  that  general  Clinton  has  failed 
with  fome  troops.— -The  reports  of  their  number  are  various, 
from  between  four  and  five  hundred  to  nineteen  companies  o£ 
grenadiers  and  light  infantry.  It  is  alfo  imagined  that  the  re- 
giments, which  were  to  fail  the  firft  of  December,  are  intended 
for  that  place  or  Virginia. — General  Putnam  is  a  moll  valua* 
ble  man,  and  a  fine  executive  officer :  but  I  do  not  know  how 
he  would  conduft  in  a  feparate  department.  He  is  a  younger 
major-general  than  Mr.  Schuyler,  who,  as  I  obferved,  having 
determined  to  continue  in  the  fervice,  will,  1  expect,  repair  in- 
to Canada. — A  copy  of  my  letter  to  him,  on  this  and  other  fub- 
jefts,  I  inclofe  you,  as  it  will  explain  my  motives  for  not  flop- 
ping the  regiments  from  thefe  governments.  ?  *l, 
When  captain  Cockran  arrives,  I  will  give  him  every  aflift- 
ance  in  my  power,  in  obedience  to  the  orders  of  Congrefs  :  but 
I  fear  it  will  be  the  means  of  laying  up  our  own  veflels,  as  thefe 
people  will  not  bear  the  diftinc~iion.  Should  this  be  the  confe- 
quence,  it  will  be  highly  prejudicial  to  us,  as  we  fometimes  pick 
up  their  provifion-veffels,  and  may  continue  to  dillrefs  them  m 
this  way, 

Laft  week  captain  Manly  took  a  fhip  and  brig  bound  to  Bof- 
ton  from  Whitehaven,  with  coals  chiefly,  and  fome  potatoes, 
for  the  army. — I  have  for  his  great  vigilance  and  induftry,  ap- 
pointed him  commodore  of  our  little  fquadron  j  and  he  now 
hoiils  his  flag  on  board  the  fchooner  Hancock. 

I  congratulate  you  upon  the  recovery  of  Smith,  and'am  ex- 
ceedingly glad  to  hear  of  the  meafures  Ccngrefs  are  taking  for 

the 


72  GENERAL  WASHINGTON'S. 

the  general  defence  of  the  continent.  The  clouds  thicken 
iaft  : — where  they  will  burft,  I  know  not  ;  but  we  fhould  be 
armed  at  all  points. 

I  hav-e  not;  fucceeded  in  my  applications  to  thefe  govern- 
ments for  arms.  They  have  returned  for  anfwer,  that  they  can- 
not furniih  any. — Whether  I  ihall  be  more  lucky  in  the  laft  re- 
iburce  left  me  in  this  quarter,  I  cannot  determine,  having  not 
received  returns  from  the  officers  fent  out  to  purchaie  of  .the 
people.  I  greatly  fear  that  but  very  few  will  be  procured  in 
this  way,  as  they  are  exceedingly  fcarce,  and  but  a  fmall  part 
of  what  there  are,  fit  for  fervice, — When  they  make  their  re- 
port you  (hail  be  informed. 

The  quarter-mafter-general  has  juft  received  from  general 
fiehuyler  clothing  for  the  foldiery,  -amounting  to  about  feven- 
teen  hundred  pounds  York  currency.  It  has  come  very  fea- 
fonably,  as  they  are  in  great  want,  and  will  contribute  a  little 
to  their  relief. 

Since  wilting  the  above,  I  faw  Mr.  *  *  *,  and  mentioning 
that  nothing  had  been  found  in  the  tree  of  Conolly?s  laddie,  he 
told  me  there  had  been  a  miilake  in  the  matter;  that  the  in- 
ftruclions  were  artfully  concealed  on  the  two  pieces  of  wood 
which  are  on  the  mail-pillion  of  his  portman,teau-faddle  ;  that, 
by  order  of  lord  Dun  more,  he  faw  them  contrived  for  the  pur- 
pofe,  the  papeis  put  in,  and  firil  covered  with  tin,  and  over  that 
with  a  waxed  canvas  cloth — He  is  fo  exceedingly  pointed  and 
clear  in  his  information,  that  I  have  no  doubt  of  its  being  true. 
— - 1  could  wiiTi  them  to  be  difcoverecl,  as  I  think  they  contain 
fome  curious  and  extraordinary  plans. 

In  my  letter  of  the  twenty-fourth  inftant,  I  mentioned  the 
arrival  of  thirteen  of  our  Caghnewaga  friends.  They  honored 
me  with  a  talk  to-day,  as  did  three  of  the  tribes  of  the  St, 
John's  and  Pafmiquoddi  Indians  *, — copies  of  which  I  beg  leave 
to  incloie  you. — I  fnall  write  to  general  Schuyler  refpe&ing  the 
tender  of  fervice  made  by  the  former,  and  not  to  call  for  their 
afiiftance,  uniefs  he  (hall  at  any  time  want  it,  or  be  under  the 
neceflity  of  doing  it  to  prevent  their  taking  the  fide  of  our  ene- 
mies. 

I  had  the  honor  of  writing  to  you  on  the  nineteenth  of  No- 
vember, and  then  I  iaformed  you  of  having  engaged  two  per- 
fons  to  go  to  Nova-Scotia  en  the  bufinefs  recommended  in  your 
letter  of  the  tenth  :  and  alfo  thai  the  ft  ate  of  the  army  would 
not  then  admit  of  a  fumcient  force  being  fent,  for  carrying  into 
execution  the  views  of  Congrefs  refpe&ing  the  dock-yards,  &c.' 
-— — 1  would  now  beg  leave  to  attention,  that,  if  the  perfous, 

fent 


OFFICIAL    LET  TEkS.  73 

Tent  for  information,  mould  report  favorably  of  the  expedi- 
ency and  practicability  of  the  meafure,  it  will  not  be  in  my 
power  to  detach  any  men  from  thefe  lines  :  the  fituation  of  our 
affairs  will  not  allow  it. — I  think  it  would  be  advifable  to  raife 
them  in  the  eaftcrn  parts  of  this  government.  If  it  is  attempt- 
ed, it  muft  be  by  people  from  the  country. — -A  colonel  *  *  * 
ajid  a  captain  *  *  *  have  been  with  me  :  they  think  the  men 
neceffary  may  be  ea.fily  engaged  there,  and  the  meafure  practi- 
cable : — provided  there  are  not  more  than  two  hundred  Britifh, 
troops  at  Halifax,  they  are  willing  and  ready  to  embark  in  the 
matter,  upon  the  terms  mentioned  in  their  plan,  which  I  in- 
ciofe  you.  I  would  wifh  you  to  advert  to  the  confideratiohs 
inducing  them  to  the  expedition,  as  I  ara  not  without  appfe- 
henfion,  (hould  it  be  undertaken  upon  their  plan,  that  the. in- 
nocent and  guilty  will  be  involved  in  one  common  ruin.— I 
piefume  they  do  riot  expect  to  receive  more  thaii  the  five -or  ten 
thoufand  pounds  mentioned  in  their  fcherne,  and  to  be  at  every 
expenie.—  If  We  had  men  to  fpare,  it  might  be  undertaken  for 
lets  than  either,  I  conceive. — Perhaps,  if  Congrefe  do  not  a- 
dopt  their  proppiltion,  they  will  undertake  to  raiffc  men  for 
that  particular  purpoie,  who  may  be"  difbanded  as  foon  as  it  is 
effected,  and  upon  the  fame  terms  that  are  allowed  the  conti- 
nental troops  in  general.— Whatever  may  be'the  determination 
of  Congrefs  upon  the  fubje6r.,  you  will  pleafe  to  communicate 
it  to  me  immediately  :  for  the  feafon  molt  favorable  for  the- en- 
terprife,  is  advancing  fail  y  and  we  may  expect  in  the  fpring, 
that  there  will  be  more  troops  there,  and  the  meafure  be  more 
difficult  to  execute. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c.  G.  W* 


SIR,  Cambridge,  Feb.  $,  17761. 

THE  purport  of  this  letter  will  be  directed  to  a  fingle  ob- 
iccl  :— through  you  I  mean  to  lay  it  before  Congrefs  j  and — at 
the  fame  time  I  beg  their  ferious  attention  to  the  fubjecT:, — to 
aik  pardon  for  intruding  an  Opinion,  not  only  uiiafked,  but,  in 
iome  meafure  repugnant  to  their  refblves. 

The  diiadvantages  attending  the  limitted  enliftmeht  of  troops 
are  too  apparent  to  thofe  who  are  eye-witneifes  to  them,  to  ren- 
der any  aniraadverfions  necefiary  :  but  to  gentlemen  at  a  dif- 
tAnce,  whofe  attention  is  engroiTed  by  a  thoufand  important  ob% 
jeds,-  the  cafe  may  be  otherwife. 

That  this  ca'ufe  precipitated  the  fate  of  the  brave  and  much- 
K  to-be. 


74  GENERAL  WASHINGTON'S 

to-be-lamented  general  Montgomery,  and  brought  on  the  de- 
feat which  followed  thereupon,  I  have  not  the  moil  diftant 
doubt  : — for,  had  he  not  been  apprehenfive  of  the  troops  leav- 
ing him  at  fo  important  a  crifls,  but  continued  the  blockade  at 
Quebec,  a  capitulation  (from  the  beft  accounts  I  have  been  a- 
ble  to  colle6l)  muft  inevitably  have  followed.  And  that  we 
were  not  at  one  time  obliged  to  difpute  thefe  lines  under  difad- 
vantapeous  circumftances  (proceeding  from  the  fame  caufe,  to 
wit,  the  troops  disbanding  of  themfclves  before  the  militia 
could  be  got  in),  is  to  me  a  matter  of  wonder  and  ailoniihment ; 
and  proves  that  general  Howe  was  either  unacquainted  with  our 
iituation,  ot  r  eft  rained  by  his  inftruclions  from  putting  anything 
to  a  hazard  till  his  reinforcements  fhould  arrive. 

The  inftance  of  general  Montgomery — (I  mention  it,  becaufe 
it  is  a  itriking  one  \ — for  a  number  of  others  might  be  adduced) 
— proves,  that,  inftead  of  having  men  to  take  advantage  of 
circumflances,  you  are  in  a  manner  compelled,  right  or  wrong, 
to  make  circumflances  yield  to  a  fecondary  confederation.  Since 
the  fir  ft  of  December,  I  have  been  deviling  every  means  in  my 
fiower  to  fecure  thefe  encampments;  and,  though  I  am  fenfiblc 
that  we  never  have,  lince  that  period,  been  able  to  act  upon 
the  oiTenfive,  and  at  times  not  in  a  condition  to  defend,  yet  the 
coft  of  marching  home  one  fet  of  men, — bringing  in  another, — 
the  havoc  and  wafte  occafioned  by  the  firft, — the  repairs  necef- 
fary  for  the  fecond, — with  a  thoufand  incidental  charges  and 
inconveniences  which  have  arifen,  and  which  it  is  fcarce  poili- 
ble  eithe'r  to  recoiled!:  or  defcribe, — amount  to  near  as  much, 
as  the  keeping  up  a  refpectable  body  of  troops  the  whole  time, 
itady  for  any  emergency  would  have  dene. — To  this  may  be 
added,  that  you  never  can  have  a  well-difciplined  army. 

To  bring  men  well  acquainted  with  the  duty  of  a  foldier,  re- 
quires time.  To  bring  them  under  proper  difcipline  and  fubor-, 
dination,  not  only  requires  time,  but  is  a  work  of  great  diffi- 
culty, and,  in  this  army  where  there  is  fo  little  diftincSHon  be- 
tween the  officers  and  foldiers,  requires  an  uncommon  degree 
of  attention.  To  expedl  then  the  fame  fervice  from  raw  and 
undifciplined  recruits  as  from  veteran  foldiers,  is  to  expecl 
whnt  never  did  and  perhaps  never  will  happen.  Men  who  are 
familiarifed  to  danger  meet  it  without  fhrinking-,  whereas  thofe 
who  have  never  feeh  fervice  often  apprehend  danger  where  no 
danger  is.  Three  things  prompt  men  to  a  regular  difcharge  of 
their  duty  in  time  of  aftion, — natural  bravery, — hope  of  re- 
ward,— and  fear. of  punifhment.  The  two  firft  are  common  to 
the  untutored  and  the  difciplined  foldier  ;  but  the  latter  moit 

cbvioufly 


O  F  F  I  C  I  A  I.    LETTERS.  *$ 

obvioufly  diftinguimes  the  one  from  the  other.  A  coward J 
when  taught  to  believe,  that,  if  he  breaks  his  ranks  and  aban- 
dons his  colors,  he  will  be  punifhed  with  death  by  his,  own  par- 
ty,— will  take  his  chance  againil  the  enemy:  but  a  man  who 
thinks  little  of  the  one  and  is  fearful  of  the  other,  a£b  from 
prefent  feelings,  regardlefs  of  confequences. 

Again,  men  of  a  day's  landing  will  not  look  forward  :  and 
from  experience  we  find,  that,  as  the  time  approaches  for  theic 
difcharge,  they  grow  carelefs  of  their  arms,  ammunition,'  camp 
utenfil-s,  8tc.  Nay,  even  the  barracks  themfelves  have  felt 
uncommon  marks  of  wanton  depredation,  and  lay  us  under  frefk 
tiouble  and  additional  expenfe  in  providing  for  every  freih  fet, 
when  we  find  it  next  to  impoflible  to  procure  fuch  articles  as 
are  abfolutely  neceffary  in  the  firil  inftance.  To  this  may  be 
added  the  feafoning  which  new  recruits  miift  have  to  a  camp, 
and  the  lofs  confequent  thereupon.  But  this  is  not  all.— Men, 
engaged  for  a  Ihort  limitled  time  only,  have  the  officers  too 
much  in  their  power :  for,  to  obtain  a  degree  of  popularity  in 
order  to  induce  a  fecond  enliftment,  a  kind  of  familiarity  takes 
place,  which  brifigs  on  a  relaxation  of  difcipline,  unlicenfed 
furloughs,  and  other  indulgences  incompatible  with  order  and 
good  government ;  by  which  means,  the  latter  part  of  the  time 
for  which  the  foldier  was  engaged,  is  fpent  in  undoing  what 
you  were  aiming  to  inculcate  in  the  firft. 

To  go  into  an  enumeration  of  all  the  evils  we  have  experi- 
enced in  this  late  great  change  of  the  army,  and  the  expenfes 
incidental  to  it, — to  fay  nothing  of  the  hazard  we  have  run, 
and  muft  run,  between  the  difcharging  of  one  army  and  enlift- 
ment of  another,  unlefs  an  enormous  expenfe  of  militia  is  in- 
currcd, — would  greatly  exceed  the  bounds  of  a  letter.  What 
I  have  already  taken  the  liberty  of  faying  will  ferve  to  convey 
a  general  idea  of  the  matter  j  and  therefore  I  ihall,  with  all 
cue  deference,  take  the  freedom  to  give  it  as  my  opinion,  that,1 
if  the  Congrefs  have  any  reafon  to  believe  that  there  will  .be 
occafion  for  troops  another  year,  and  confequently  of  another 
f  nliftment,  they  would  fave  money,  and  have  infinitely  better 
troops,  if  they  were,  even  at  a  bounty  of  twenty,  thirty,  or 
more  dollars,  to  engage  the  men  already  enlifted  (till  January 
next),  and  fuch  others  as  may  be  wanted  to  complete  the  en- 
liftment, for  and  during  the  war.  I  will  not  undertake  to  fay 
that  the  men  can  be  had  upon  thefe  terms  ;  but  I  am  iatisfied 
that  it  will  never  do,  to  let  the  matter  alone,  as  it  was  laft 
year,  till  the  time  of  fervice  was  near  expiring.  The  hazard 
is  too  great  in  the  firft  place: — in  the- next,  the  trouble  atid  - 

perplexity 


tf  GENERAL  WASHINGTON'S 

plexiety  of  difpanding  one  army  and  railing  of  another  at  the 
fame  inftant,  and  in  fuch  a  critical  fituation  as  the  laft  was,  is 
fcarcely  in  the  power  of  words  to  defcribe,  and  fuch  as  no  man, 
who  has  experienced  it  once,  will  ever  undergo  again. 

If  Congrefs  mould,  differ  from  me  in  fentiment  upon  this 
point,  I  have  only  to  beg  that  they  will  do  me  the  jufiice  to 
believe,  that  !  have  nothing  more  in  view  than  what  to  me  ap- 
pear neceffary  to  advance  the  public  weal,  although  in  the 
£rft  inftance  it  will  be  attended  with  a  capital  expenfe  : — and 
that  I  h,ive  the  honor  to  be,  &c.  G.  W. 


SIR,  Cambridge,  F-cb.  9,   17/6. 

Btf.  compliance  with  the  refolves  of  Congrefs,  I  have -ap- 
plied to  general  Howe  for  the  exchange  of  Mr.  Lovell.  A 
copy  of  my  letter,  and  his  anfwer  thereto,  you  have  inclofed. 

Captain  Watters  and  captain  Tucker,  who  command  two  of 
the  armed  fchooners,  have  taken  and  fent  into  Glocefter  a  large 
brigantine,  laden  with  wood,  a  hundred  and  fifty  butts  for  wa- 
ter, and  forty  fuits  of  bedding,  bound  from  La  Have  in  Nova* 
Scotia,  for  Bofton.  She  is  one  of  the  tranfports  in  the  mini- 
Aerial  fervice.  The  captain  fays  that  he  was  at  Halifax,  the 
ieventeenth  of  January,  and  that  general  Maffy  was  arrived 
there  with  two  regiments  from  Ireland. 

The  different  prizes  were  all  libelled  immediately  on  the  re- 
ceipt of  the  refolves  of  Congrefs  pointing  out  the  mode  -7  but 
Xione  of  them  yet  brought  to  trial,  owing  to  a  difference  be- 
tween the  law  palled  in  this  province,  and  the  resolutions  of 
Congrefs.  The  general  court  are  making  an  amendment  to 
their  law,  by  which  the  difficulties  that  now  occur  -will  be  re- 
TOOved,  as. I  underftacd  it  is  to  be  made  conformable  to  your 
refolves.  The  unavoidable  delay  attending  the  bringing  the 
captures  to  trial  is  grievoufly  complained  of  by  the  matters  of 
thefe  velTels,  as  well  as  the  captors.  Many  of  the  former  have 
applied  for  liberty  to  go  away  without  waiting  the  cleciiion, — , 
which  I  have  granted  them. 

I  beg  leave  to  recall  the  attention  of  Congrefs  to  their  ap- 
pointing a  comzniflary  in  thefe  parts,  to  attend  the  providing 
of  neceHaries  lor  the  prifoners  who  ;?.re  difperied  in  thefe  pro- 
vinces. Complaints  are  rnade  by  fome  of  them,  that  they  are 
in  want  of  .bedding  and  many  other  things.  As  I  undcilland 
that  Mr.  Franks  has  undertaken  that  builncfs,  I  wiih  he  was 
ordered  to  fend  a  deputy  immediately  to  fee  that  the  .piifoneis 

get 


OFFICIAL    J.JSTTJERS.  n 

•>tgp$  what  is  allowed  them  by  Congrefs  j  .alfo  to  fupply  the  offi- 
*cers  with  money  as  they  may  .have  o.ccafian.  ,  It  would  fave  rne 
much  time  and  much  trouble. 

There  arje  yet  but  few  companies  of  the  militia  come  in* 
This  delay  will,  I  am  much  afraid,  fruftrate  the  intention  of 
their  being  called  upon,  as  the  IJeafon  is  flipping  fall  away  when 
they  may  be  of  fervice. 

The  demands  of  the  army  -were  To  very'prelling  before  your 
laft  remittance  came  to  hand,  that  I  was  under  the  neceflity  of 
borrowing  twenty-five  thoufand  pounds  lawful  money  from  this 
province.  They  very  cheerfully  lent  it,  and  .paffed  «  vote' for 
as  much  more,  if  requited.  I  have  not  repaid  the  fum  bor- 
rowed, as  I  may  {land  in  need  of  it  before  the  arrival  of  an- 
other fupply,  which  the  demands  of  the  coramiiTary-general, 
quarterrnafler-geneial,  and  paying  off  the  arrearages,  will  very 
foon  require. 

Your  efteemed  favor  of  the  twenty-ninth  ultimo  is  juft  come- 
to  hand.  It  makes  me  very  happy  to  find  myfconduft  hath 
met  the  approbation  of  Congrefs.  I  am  entirely  of  your  opi- 
nion, that,  ihould  an  accommodation  take  place,  the  .terms 
will  be  fevere  or  favorable  in  proportion  to  curability  to  refill, 
and  tjiat  we  .ought  to  be  on  a  refpeclable  footing  to  receive 
.their  armaments  in  the  fpring.  But  how  far  we  fhall  be  pto-r 
vided  with  the  means,  is  a  matter  I  profefs  not  to  know,  under 
juy  prefent  unhappy  want  of  arms,  ammunition,  and,  1  may 
add,  men, — as  our  regiments  are  very  incomplete.  The  re.« 
cruiting  goes  on  very  flow,  and  will,  I  apprehend,  be  more  fo, 
if  for  other  fervice  the  men  receive  a  bounty,  and  none  is  given 
here. 

I  have  tried  every  method  I  could  think  of,  to  procure  arms 
for  our  men.  They  really  arc  not  to  be  had  in  tjjiefe  govern- 
ments (belonging  to  the  public-)  j  and  if  fome  method  is  not 
fallen  upon,  in  the  fouthern  governments,  to  fupply  us,  we 
fualj.  be  in  a  diftreffed  iituation  For  want  of  them.,  There  aie 
near  two  thoufand  men  now  in  camp  without  firelocks.— -I  have 
wrote  to  the  committee  of  New-York  this  day,  requeuing  them 
to  fend  me  thofe  arms  which  were  taken  from  the  difafie&ed  in 
that  government.  1  he  Congrefs  interefling  themfelves  in  this 
requeft  will  doubt] efs  have  a  good  effecl:.  I  have  fent  officers 
jinto  the  country,,  with  money  to  pujchafe  arms  in  the  different 
towns.  Some  have  returned,  and  brought  in  a  few  : — -many 
are  ilill  out ;— what  jheir  fuccefs  will  be,  I  cannot  determine. 
.  I  was  .in  great  hopes,  that  the  expreffes,  refolved  to  be  efta- 
Jbliilied  between  this  place  and  Philadelphia,  would  ere  now 

have 


7$  GENERAL  WASHINGTON'S 

have  been  fixed.  It  would,  in  my  opinion,  rather  fave  than 
increafe  the  expenfe  ;  as  many  horfes  are  deftroyed  by  one  man 
coming  the  whole  way.  It  will  certainly  be  more  expeditious, 
and  fafer,  than  writing  by  the  poft  or  private  hands,  which  I 
am  often  under  the  necefiity  of  doing. 

I  am,  with  great  refpeft,  &c.  G.  W, 


SIR,  Cambridge,  Feb.  9,   1776, 

I  BEG  leave  to  inform  you,  at  the  requeft  of  the  com- 
mittee of  pay-table  of  the  colony  of  Connecticut,  that  I  have 
not  advanced,  to  any  of  the  regiments  from  that  government, 
any  mon^y  except  the  fum  of  feven  thoufand  one  hundred  and 
feventy-two  dollars  and  one-ninth,  on  the  twentieth  of  Novem- 
ber laft,  to  major-general  Putnam,  for  the  thirty-fourth  regi- 
ment under  his  command.  I  mould  have  paid  them  in  the  fame 
manner  I  did  the  reft  of  the  army,  had  I  not  been  prevented 
by  the  colonels,  who  expreffed  thtir  inclination  to  receive  the 
whole  at  once,  upon  their  return  home,  at  the  expiration  of 
fervice,  as  was  cuftomary  in  their  colony.  For  this  reafon,  I 
never  included  them  in  my  eflimates  of  money,  and  have  made 
no  provifion  for  their  payment,  always  imagining  that  whatever 
payments  the  colony  made  them,  Ccr.grefs  would  apply  to  their 
credit  in  the  general  account  againit  the  United  Colonies,  or 
refund  upon  application. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &.c.  G.  W, 


SIR,  Cambridge,  Feb.  14,    1776. 

THROUGH  you,  I  beg  leave  to  lay  before  Congrefs  the 
inclofed  letter  from  lord  Drummond  to  general  Robertfon, 
which  came  to  my  hands  a  few  days  ago,  in  order  to  be  fent  in- 
to Bofton. 

As  I  never  heard  of  his  lordfhip  being  veiled  with  power  to 
treat  with  Congrefs  upon  the  fubje6l  of  our  grievances,  nor  of 
his  having  laid  any  propofitions  before  them  for  an  accommo- 
dation, I  confefs  it  furprifed  me  much,  and  led  me  to  form  va- 
rious conjectures  of  his  motives,  and  intended  application  to 
general  Howe  and  admiral  Shuldham  for  a  paffport,  for  the 
i-afe-conducl  of  fitch  deputies  as  Congrefs  might  appoint  for  ne- 
gotiating terms  of  reconciliation  between  Great-Britain  and  us. 
—Whatever  his  intentions  are,  however  benevolent  his  deiigns 


O  F  F  I  C  I  A  L    L  £  T  T  E  R  S.  79 

may  be,  I  confefs  that  his  letter  has  embarraffed  me  much;  and 
I  am  not  without  fufpicion  of  its  meaning  moie  than  the  genei> 
ous  purpofes  it  profeifes.  I  mould  fuppofe,  that,  if  the  mode 
for  negotiation,  which  "Itc  points  out,  ihould  be  adopted  *which 
J  hope  will  never  be  thought  of),  it  ought  to  have  been  fixed 
and  fettled  previous  to  any  application  of  this  fort  5  and  at  belt, 
that  his  conduct  in  this  inilance  is  premature  and  officious,  and 
leading  to  confequences  of  a  fatal  and  injurious  nature  to  the 
rights  of  this  country.  His  zeal  and  defire,  perhaps,  of  an  a- 
micable  and  coniHtutiohal  adjuftment's  taking  place  may  have 
fuggefted  and  precipitated  the  meafure.  Be  that  as  it  may,  I 
thought  it  of  too  much  importance,  to  fuffer  it  to  go  in  without 
having  the  exprefs  direction  of  Congrefs  for  that  purpofe  ^ 
and  that  it  was  my  indifpenfable  duty  to  tranfmit  them  the  ori- 
ginal, to  make  fuch  interpretations  and  inferences  .as  they  may 
think  right. 

MefiVs.  Willard  and  Child,  who  were  fent  to  Nova-Scotia,  in 
purfuance  of  the  refolve  of  Congrefs,  have  juft  returned,  and 
made  their  report,  which  I  do  myfelf  the  honor  to  inclafe  you* 
They  have  not  anfwered  the  purpofes  of. their  commiflion  by  a- 
ny  means,  as  they  only  went  a  little  way  into  that  country,  and 
found  their  intelligence  upon  the  information  of  others.  You 
will  fee  the  reafons  they  afiign  ill  excufe  or  juilification  of  their 
conduft,  in  the  report  itfelf. 

Lail  night  a  party  of  regulars,  faid  to  be  about  five  hundred, 
landed  on  Dorchefter  neck,  and  burned  fome  of  the  houfes 
there,  which  were  of  no  value  to  us  j  nor  would  they  have  been, 
unlefs  we  take  poll  there  :  they  then  might  be  of  fome  fervice. 
A  detachment  went  after  them  as  foon  as  the  fire  was  difcover- 
ed  :  but,  before  it  could  arrive,  they  had  executed  their  plan, 
and  made  their  retreat. 

Inclofed  is  a  letter  for  David  Franks,  efquire,  from  Mr. 
Chamier  in  Bofton,  upon  the  fubjecl;  of  victualling  fuch  of  the. 
king's  troops  as  may  be  prifoners  within  the  limits  of  his  con- 
tract, which  I  beg  the  favor  of  you  to  deliver  him,  and  that 
proper  agents  may  be  appointed  by  him,  to  fee  that  it  is  done. 
I  could  wifh  too,  that  Congr.efs  would  fall  upon  fome  mode  for 
fupplying  the  officers  with  fuch  money  as  they  may  really  Hand 
in  need  of,  and  depute  proper  perfons  for  that  purpofe,  and 
furnifhing  the  privates  with  fuch  cloathing  as  may  be  abfolutely 
neceffary.  I  am  applied  to,  and  wearied  by  their  repeated  re- 
quefts.  In  fome  inftances  I  have  defired  the  committees  to 
give  the  prifoners  within  their  appointments,  what  they  fnould 
judge  abfolutelj  necefiary  for  their  fupport, — as  the  only  means 


go  '  GENERAL  WASHINGTON'S 

in  my  power  of  relieving  tlieir  diftrefs, — but  I  imarnn?,  that, 
if  there  were'  perfons  to  fuperintend  this  bufinefs,  their  want.} 
would  ^>e  better  attended  to,  and  many  exorbitant  charges  pre- 
vented and  laved  to  the  continent  j  and  the  whole  would  then 
be  brought  into  a  proper  account. 

I  am,  fir,  with  great  eiieem,  &c.  G. 

;.-,'  y.  return  of  the  iirength  of  the  regiments, 


w 


Six,  Cambridge,  Feb,  iS,    1776. 

TK'K  Ir.te  freezing  weather  having  formed  fome  pretty 
g  ice  from.  13  o'rc  helper  point  to  Boilon  neck,  and  from 
I?  rrhury  to  the  Common,  thereby  affording  a  more  expanded 
•:;uecvaently  a  lets  dangerous  approach  to  the" town,  I  could 
not  .help  thinking, — notwithftanding  the  militia  were  not  all 
come  in,  and  we  hs.d  little  cc  r  o  powder  to  begin  our  operation 
by  a  regular  cannonade  or  bombardment, — that  a.  bold  and  re- 
foir.te  aifault  upon  thr,  troo-v-;  :;:•  Bbfto'ft  with  fuch  men  as  we 
"had  (for  it  could  not  take  many  men  to  guard  our  own  lines  at 
a  time  when  the  enemy  were'  attacked  in  all  quarters)  might  be 
crowned  with  fuccefs  :  and.  therefore,  feeing  no  certain  profpect 
of  a  fupply  of  co'vvdcr  on  tlie  ori^  han'd,  and  a  certain  ciirTolution. 
of  the  ice  on  the  other,  I  called  the  general  Officers'  together, 
far  their  option,  agreeably  tcrthi-  refolve  of  Congrefs,  of  the 
twenty-tbcorid  of  December. 

•  The  re ful t  will  appear  in  tlic  Inclofed  council  of  war  ;  and, 
"being  alinoft  iinaiiiraous,  I  muft  fuppoie  it  to  be  rip-lit  5  al- 
though, 0-om  a  thoroiicrh  convriiion  of  the  neceifity  of  attempt- 
ing foraefhing  -lie  riiniiferial  troops  before  a  reinforce- 
ment Oiould  arrive,  and  while  we  were  favored  with  the  ice,  I 
Was  not  only  ready,  b"t  wining,  and  defirous  of  making  the  af~ 
ikult,  under  a  finii  h-pp.;  u  t'ift  '  rtsri  \vould  have  iiood  by  me) 
of  a  favorable  iHur,  noiwithflanding  the  enemy 'u  advantage  of 
ground,  artillery.,  &c. 

Perhaps  the  irkfomenef^  of  my  fituation  may  have  given  dif- 
ferent ideas  to  rne,  than  thofe  which  influenced  the  gentlemen 
I  confuitcd,  and  uiight  have  inclined  nae  to  put  more  to  the 
<J,  l'»an  wa?r  conhilent  \vith  prudence  : — if  it  had,  I  am 
not  feniible  of  it,  as  I  endeavored  to  give  it  all  the  coniidera- 
tion  that  a  matter  of  fach  importance  required.  True  it  is, 
..  ;J  I  cannot  help  acknowledging,  that  I  have  many  difagreea- 
ble  fcnfations  on  account  of  my  fituation:  for,  to  have  the  eyes 
of  the  -,vho!e  continent  fixed  v/itr.  cxpeclation  of  hear- 


OFFICIAL     LETTERS.  8r 


ing  of  fome  great  event, — and  to  be  retrained  in  every  military 
operation,  for  want  of  the  necefTary  means  of  carrying  it  on, — 
13  not  very  pleafing,  efpecially  as  the  means  ufed  to  conceal  my 
weaknefs  from  the  enemy,  conceal  it  allb  from  our  friends,  and 
add  to  their  wonder. 

I  do  not  utter  this  by  way  of  complaint.  I  am  fenilble  that 
all  that  the  Congrefs  could  do,  they  have  donej  and  I  ih-ould 
feel  feel  mod  powerfully  the  weight  of  eonfcious  ingratitude, 
•were  I  not  to  acknowledge  this*  But  as  we  have  accounts  of 
the  arrival  of  powder  in  captain  Mafon,  I  would  beg  to  have  it 
lent  on  in  the  moil  expeditious  manner  :  otnerwife  we  not  only 
lofe  all  chance  of  the  benefits  refuiting  from  the  feafon,  but  of 
the  militia,  who  are  brought  in  at  a  mofl  enormous  expenfe, 
upon  a  prefumption  that  wrc  mould,  long  ere  this,  have  been, 
amply  fupplied  with  powder,  under  tne  contracts  entered  into 
with  the  committee  of  Congrefs. 

The  militia,  contrary  to  an  exprefs  requifition,  are  come 
and  coming  in  without  ammunition.  To  fupply  them  alone 
with -twenty-four  rounds  (which  is  lefs,  by  three-fifths,  than 
the  regulars  are  ferved  with)  will  take  between  fifty  and  fixty 
barrels  of  powder;  and  to  complete  the  other  troops  to  the  like 
quantity,  will  take  near  as  much  more,  .and  leave  in  flare  not 
more  that  about  fixty  barrels,  befides  a  few  rounds  of  cannon 
cartridges  ready  filled  for  u(e.  This,  fir,  Congrefs  may  be  a£* 
iiired,  is  a  true  Hate  of  our  powder,  and  will,  I  hope,  bear 
fome  teflimony  of  my- incapacity  for  adtion  in  fuch  a  way  as  may 
do  any  eirentiai  fervice. 

February  21.  When  I  began  this  lettsr,  I  propofed  to  have 
feat  it  by  exprefs*  But  recolle&ing  that  ail  my  late  letters 
have  been  as  expreffive  of  my  want  of  powder  and  arras  as  I 
could  £aint  them,  and  that  Mr.  Hooper  was  to  fct  off  in  a  day 
or  two,  I  thought  it  unneceiiciry  to  run  the  continent  to  the  ex-* 
penfe  of  an  exprefs,  merely  to  repeat  what  I  had  fo  oftsn  done 
before,  when  I  am  certain  that  Congrefs,  knowing  our  necefii- 
ties,  will  delay  no  time  that  can  poiTibls  be  avoided  in  fupply* 
ing  them. 

My  duty  is  offered  to  Congrefs  •,  and,  with  great  refpecl  and 

efteera,  I  have  the  honor  to  be,  cic.  G.  W. 

P.   S.     Hearing  of  the  arrival  of  a  frnail  parcel  of  powder 

in    Connecticut,    I    have    been    able   to   obtain   three   tlioufand 

weight  of  it,  which  is   in  addition  to  the  fixty  -barrels  before 

'  mentioned. 


82  GENERAL  WASHINGTON'S 

SIR,  Cambridge ,  Feb.  263    '7;£- 

I  HAD  the  honor  of  addrefHng  you  on  the  eighteenth 
and  tvventy-firft  inftant,  by  Mr.  Hooper  }  £nce  which,  nothing 
material  has  occurred. 

We  are  making  every  neceffary  preparation  for  taking  pofTef- 
iion  of  Dorchefter  heights  as  foon  as  pofiible,  with  a  view  of 
drawing  the  enemy  out.  How  far  our  expectations  may  be  an- 
fwered,  time  only  can  determine  :  but  I  mould  think,  if  any 
thing  will  induce  them  to  hazard  an  engagement,  it  will  be  our 
attempting  to  fortify  thefe  heights  j  as,  on  that  events  taking 
place,  we  mall  be  able  to  command  a  great  part  of  the  town 
and  almoft  the  whole  harbor,  and  to  make  them  rather  difa- 
greeable  than  otherwife,  provided  we  can  get  a  fufficient  fupply 
of  what  we  greatly  want. 

Within  thefe  three  or  four  days,  I  have  received  fundry  ac- 
counts from  Bofton,  of  fuch  movements  there, — (fuch  as  taking 
the  mortars  from  Bonker's-hill, — the  putting  them,  with  feve- 
ral  pieces  of  heavy  ordnance,  on  board  of  ihip,  with  a  quantity 
of  bedding, — the  mips  all  taking  in  water, — the  baking  a  large 
quantity  of  bifcuit, — &c.) — as  to  indicate  an  embarkation  of 
the  troops  from  thence.  A  Mr.  Ides,  who  came  out  yefterday, 
fays  that  the  inhabitants  of  the  town  generally  believe  that  they 
are  aboijt  to  remove  either  to  New-York  or  Virginia,  and  that 
every  veflel  in  the  harbor,  on  tuefday  laft,  was  t^ken  up  for  go- 
vernment's fervice,  and  two  months'  pay  advanced  them. 
Whether  they  really  intend  to  embark,  or  whether  the  whole 
is  a  feint,  is  impoflible  for  me  to  tell.  However  I  have  thought 
it  expedient  to  fend  an  exprefs  to  general  Lee,  to  inform  him 
of  it — (in  order  that  he  may  not  be  taken  by  furprife,  if  their 
deftination  mould  be  againfl  New- York), — and  continued  him 
on  to  you.  If  they  do  embark,  I  think  the  poiTeiTmg  them- 
felves  of  that  place,  and  of  the  North  river,  is  the  objec> 
they  have  in  view,  thereby  fecuring  the  communication  with 
Canada,  and  rendering  the  intercourfe  between  the  northern 
and  fouthern  United  Colonies  exceedingly  precarious  and  dif- 
ficult. To  prevent  them  from  effecting  their  plan,  is  a  mat- 
ter of  the  higheft  importance,  and  will  require  a  large  and 
refpe&able  army,  and  the  moll  vigilant  and  judicious  exer- 
tions. 

Since  I  wrote  by  Mr.  Hooper,  fome  fmall  parcels  of  powder 
have  arrived  from  Connecticut,  which  will  give  us  a  little  alTilt- 
ance. 

On  thurfday  night  a  party  of  our  men  at  Roxbury  made  the 

enemy's 


OFFICIAL    LETTERS.  % 

enemy's  out-centuries,  confifling  of  a  corporal  and  two  privates, 
prisoners,  without  firing  a  gun  or  giving  the  lead  alarm. 

1  fhall  be  as  attentive  to  the  enemy's  motions  as  I  can,  and 
obtain  all  the  intelligence  in  my  power  5  and,  if  Ifcfind  them 
embark,  mail  in  the  moft  expeditious  manner  detach  a  part  of 
the  light  troops  to  New-York,  and  repair  thither  myfelf  if  cit- 
cumftances  fhall  require  it.  I  fhall  be  better  able  to  judge 
what  to  do,  when  the  matter  happens.  At  prefent,  I  can  on- 
ly fay  that  I  will  do  every  thing  that  mall  appear  proper  and 
neceffary. 

Your  letter  of  the  twelfth  inftant,  by  colonel  Bull,  came  to 
hand  yefterday  evening  :  and  I  fhall,  agreeable  to  your  recom> 
mendation,  pay  proper  notice  to  him. — The  fupply  of  cafli  came 
very  feafonably,  as  our  treafury  was  juft  exhaufted,  and  nothing 
can  be  done  here  without  it. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c.  G.  W. 

P.  S.  This  was  intended  to  have  been  fent  by  exprefs  :  but 
meeting  with  a  private  opportunity,  the  cxprefs  was  counter- 
manded. 


SIR,  Cambridge,  March  7 

ON  the  twenty-fixth  ultimo  I  had  the  honor  of  addrefTing 
you,  and  then  mentioned  that  we  were  making  preparations  for 
taking  poffeflion  of  Dorchefter  heights. — I  now  beg  leave  to  in- 
form you,  that,  a  council  of  general  officers  having  determined 
a  previous  bombardment  and  cannonade  expedient  and  proper, 
in  order  to  harrafs  the  enemy  and  divert  their  attention  from 
that  quarter, — on  faturday,  funday,  and  monday  nights  laft,  we 
carried  them  on  from  our  pofts  at  Coble-hill,  Leechmoie's- 
point,  and  Lim's-dam.  Whether  they  did  the  enemy  any  con- 
liderable  and  what  injury,- 1  have  not  yet  heard,  but  have  the 
pleafure  to  acquaint  you  that  they  greatly  facilitated  ourfchemes, 
and  would  have  been  attended  with  fuccefs  equal  to  our  mofl  fan- 
guine  expectations,  had  it  not  been  for  the  unlucky  burfting  of 
two  thirteen,  and  three  ten-inch  mortars,  among  which  was  the 
brafs  one  taken  in  the  ordnance  brig.  To  what  caufe  to  attri- 
bute this  misfortune,  I  know  not, — whether  to  any  defecl:  in 
them,  or  to  the  inexperience  of  the  bombardiers.  But  to  re- 
turn,— on  monday  evening,  as  foon  as  our  firing  commenced,  a 
conliderable  detachment  of  our  men,  under  the  command  cf 
brigadier-general  Thomas,  crofled  the  neck,  aud  took  poffeflion 
of  the  two  hills,  without  the  leafl  interruption  or  annoyance 

from 


S4  GENERAL  WASHINGTON'S 

from  the  enemy  ;  and  t>v  their  great  activity  and  induitry,  be- 
fore the  morning,  advanced  the  works  fo  far  as  to  be  fecure  a- 
gainft  their  ihot.  Tkey  are  now  going  on  with  fuch  expedition, 
that  in  a4ittle  time  I  hope  they  will  be  complete,  and  enable 
our  troops  llationd  there  to  make  a  vigorous  and  obftinate  ftand. 
Daring-  the  whole  cannonade,  which  was  inceffant  the  lail  two 
nights,  we  were  fortunate  enough  to  lofe  but  two  men, — one, 
a  lieutenant,  by  a  cannon  ball's  taking  offhis  thigh, — the  other, 
a  private,  by  the  explofion  of  a  fhell,  which  alfo  ilightly  wound- 
ed four  or  five  more. 

Our  taking  porTeffion  of  Dorchefter  heights  is  only  prepara- 
tory to  taking  port  on  Nuke-hill,  and  the  points  oppolite  the 
fouth  end  of  Bofton.  It  was  abfolutely  neceffary  that  they 
ihould  be  previoufly  fortified,  in  order  to  cover  and  command 
them.  As  foon  as  the  works  on  the  former  are  rimmed  and 
complete,  meafures  will  be  immediately  adopted  for  fccuring 
the  latter,  and  making  them  as  iirong  and  defensible  as  we  can. 
Their  contiguity  to  the  enemy  will  make  them  of  much  import- 
ance, and  of  great  fervice  to  us. 

As  mortars  are  effential,  and  indifpenfably  neceiTary  for  car- 
rying on  our  operations,  and  for  the  profecution  ef  our  plans,  I 
liave  applied  to  two  furnaces  to  have  fome  thirteen  inch  ones 
call  with  all  expedition  imaginable,  and  am  encouraged  to  hope, 
from  the  accounts  I  have  had,  that  they  wrill  be  able  to  do  it. 
"When  they  are  done,  and  a  proper  fupply  of  powder  obtained, 
I  flatter  myfelf,  from  the  polls  we  have  juft  taken  and  are  about 
to  take,  that  it  will  be  in  our  power  to  force  the  minifterial 
troops  to  an  attack,  or  to  difpofe  of  them  in  feme  way  that  will 
be  of  advantage  to  us.  I  think  from  tlicfe  polls  they  will  be 
fo  galled  and  annoyed,  that  they  mud  either  give  us  battle  or 
quit  their  prefent  policffions.  1  am  rcfolved  that  nothing  ou 
jny  part  (hall  be  wanting,  to  efTecl:  the  one  or  the  ether. 

It  having  been  the  general  opini  ri  that  the  enemy  would  at- 
.ternpt  to  di  Hodge  our  people  from  the  hills,  and  force  their 
works  as  foon  as  they  were  difcovered,  which  probably  might 
have  brought  .on  ,a  general  engagement, — -it  was  thought  ad- 
vifable  that  the  honorable  council  fhould  be  applied  to,  to  order 
in  the  militia  from  the  neighboring  and  adjacent  towr.r;.  I  wrote 
to  them  on  the  iubjeft,  which  they  moft  readily  complied -with  : 
and  in  juftics  to  the  militia,  I  cannot  but  inform  yon  that  they 
tame  in  at  the  appointed  time,  and  manifeited  the  greatdtalert- 
uefs  and  determined  refolution  to  have  ailed  like  men  engaged 
jn  the  caufe  of  freedom. 

tlie  enemy  firft  difcoyerecl  our  works  in  the  morning, 

they 


OFFICIAL    -LETT  E'R- 1  85 

they  feemed  to  be  in  great  confufion,  and,  From  their  move- 
ments, to  have  intendtd  an  attack.  It  is  much  to  be  wiftied 
that  it  had  been  made;  -the.  event,  I  think,  muft  have  been 
fortunate,  and  noting  lefs  than  fuccefs  and  vi&ory  on  our  fide, 
as-our  officers  and  men  appeared  impatient  for  the  appeal,  and 
to  have  pofEeiTed  the  moil  animated  fentiments  and  determined 
refolution. 

On  tuefday  evening  a  conliderable  number  of  their  troops 
embarked  on  board  of  their  tranfports,  and  fell  down  to  th-i 
caftle,  where  part  of  them  landed  before  dark.  One  or  two  of 
the  veffels  got  a-ground,  and  were  fired  at  by  our  people  with 
a  field-piece,  but  without  any  damage. — What  was  the  defign 
of  th'ib  embarkation  and  landing,  I  have  not  been  able  to  learn. 
It  would  feem  as  if  they  meant  an  attack  j  for  it  is  moft  proba- 
ble, that,  if  they  make  one  on  our  works  at  Dorchefter  at  this 
time,  they  will  firil  go  to  the  caille,  and  come  from  thence. 
If  fuch  was  their  defign,  a  violent  ftorm  that  night,  and  which 
lailed  till  eight  o'clock  the  next'  day,  rendered  the  execution 
of  it  impracticable.  It  carried  one  or  two  of  their  veffels  a- 
iliore,  which  have  fince  got  off. 

In  cafe  the  minifcerial  troops  had  made  an  attempt  to  diilodge 
our  men.  from  Dorchefter  hills,  and  the  number  detached  upon 
the  occaiion  had  been  fo  great  as  to  have  afforded  a  probability  of 
a  fuccefsful  attack's  being  made  upon  Boiton, — on  a  fignalgiven. 
from  Roxbury,  for  that  purpofe,  agreeable  to  a  fettled  and  COTJ^ 
certed  plan,  four  thoufand  chofen  men,,  who  were  held  in  rea- 
dinefs,  were  to  have  embarked  at  the  mouth  of  Cambridge  ri- 
ver, in  two  divifions,  the  firft  under  the  command  of  brigadier- 
general  Sullivan,  the  fecond  under  brigadier-general  Greene, 
— the  whole  to  have  been  commanded  by  major-general  Put- 
nam. The  firft  diviilon  was  to  land  at  the  powder-houfe,  and 
gain  poffeflion  of  .Beacon-hill  and  Mount-Horam, — the  fecond 
at  Barton's  point  or  a  little  fouth  of  it,  and,  after  fecuring  that 
poft,  to  join  the  other  divifion,  and  force  the  enemy's  gates  and 
.works  at  the  neck,  for  letting  in  the  Roxbury  troops.  Three 
floating  batteries  were  to  have  preceded,  and  gone  in  front  of 
the  other  boats,  and -kept  up  a  heavy  fire  on  that  part  of  the 
town  where  our  men  were  to  land. 

How  far  our  views  would  have  fucceeded,  ha.d  an  opportu- 
nity offered  for  attempting  the  execution,  is  impoffible  for  me 
to  lay :  nothing  lefs  than  experiment  could  determine  with  pre- 
cifion.  The  plan  was  thought  to  be  well  digefted;  and,  as  far 
as  I  could  judge  from  ti;e  cheerfulnefs  and  alacrity  which  d'if- 

tinguifhed 


36  GENERAL  WASHINGTON'S 

tinguiflied  the  officers  alid  men  who  were  to  engage  in  tlie  en- 
terprife,  I  had  reafon  to  hope  for  a  favorable  and  happy  iffue. 
The  militia  who  were  ordered  in  from  the  adjacent  towns 
brought  with  them  three  day's  provifion.  They  were  only 
called  upon  to  aft  under  the  idea  of  an  attack's  being  immedi- 
ately made,  and  were  all  difcharged  this  afternoon. 

I  beg  leave  to  remind  Congreis  that  three  major-generals  are 
effential  and  neceffary  for  this  army ;  and  that,  by  general  Lee's 
being  called  from  hence  to  the  the  command  in  Canada,  the 
left  divifion  is  without  one.  I  hope  they  will  fill  up  the  vacan- 
cy by  the  appointment  of  another.  General  Thomas  is  the 
firfl  brigadier,  Hands  fair  in  the  point  of  reputation,  and  is  ef- 
teemed  a  brave  and  good  officer.  If  he  is  promoted,  there 
will  be  a  vacancy  in  the  brigadier-generals,  which  it  will  be 
neceffary  to  fupply  by  the  appointment  of  fome  other  gentleman 
that  (hall  be  agreeable  to  Congrefs :  but  juftice  requires  me  to 
mention  that  William  Thompfon,  efquire,  of  the  rifle  regiment, 
Is  the  firfl  colonel  in  this  department,  and,  as  far  as  I  have  had 
an  opportunity  of  judging,  is  a  good  officer  and  a  man  of  cou- 
rage. What  I  have  faid  of  thefe  two  gentlemen,  I  conceived 
to  be  my  duty,  at  the  fame  time  acknowledging,  whatever  pro- 
motions are  made  will  be  fatisfaclory  to  me. 

March  9. Yefterday  evening,  a  captain  Irvine,  who  ef- 

caped  from  Eoflon  the  night  before,  with  fix  of  his  crew,  came 
to  head-quarters,  and  gave  the  following  intelligence  : — "That 
our  bombardment  and  cannonade  caufed  a  great  deal  of  furprife 
and   alarm  in  town,  as  many    of  the   foldiery  faid  they  never 
lieard  or  thought  we  had  mortars  or  {hells  \ — that  feveral  of  the 
officers  acknowledged  they  were  well  and  properly  dire&edj — 
that  they  made  much  diftrefs  and  confufion  j — that  the  cannon- 
fiiot,  for  the  greateft  part,    went  through  the  houfes  ;  and  he 
was  told  that  one  took  off  the  legs  and  arms  of  fix  men  lying 
in  the  barracks  on  the  neck ; — that   a  foldier,    who  came  from 
the  lines  there  on  tuefday  morning,  informed  him  that  twenty 
men  had  been  wounded  the  night  before  : — it  was  reported  that 
others  were  alfo  hurt,  and  one  of  the  light-horfe  torn  to  pieces 
by  the  explofion  of  a  (hell:  this  was  afterwards  contradicted  :) 
«*-that,  early  on  tuefday  morning,    admiral   Shuldham,    difco- 
vering  the  works  our  people  were  throwing  up  on  Dorchefter 
heights,  immediately  fent  an  exprefs  to   general  Howe,  to  in- 
form him  that  it  was  neceffary  they  mould  be  attacked  and  dif- 
lodged  from  thence,  or  he  would  be  under  the  neceflity  of  with- 
drawing the  (hips  from  the  harbor,  which  wrere  under  his  com- 
mand > — that  preparations  were  directly  made  for  that  purpofe, 

as 


OFFICIAL     LETTERS.  87 

as  it  was  faid;  and,  from  twelve  to  two  o'clock,  about  three 
thoufand  men  embarked  on  board  the  tranfports,  which  fell 
down  to  the  caftle  with  a  defign  of  landing  on  that  part  of  Dor- 
chefter  next  to  it,  and  attacking  our  works  on  the  heights  at 
five  o'clock  the  next  morning  j — that  lord  Percy  was  appointed 
to  command  j — that  it  was  generally  believed  the  attempt  would 
have  been  made,  had  it  not  been  for  the  violent  ftorm  which 
happened  that  night,  as  I  have  mentioned  before  j — that  he 
heard  feveral  of  the  privates,  and  one  or  two  ferjeants,  fay  as 
they  were  embarking,  "  that  it  would  be  another  Bunker's-hill 
affair." 

He  further  informs — "  that  the  army  is  preparing  to  leave 
Bollon,  and  that  they  will  do  it  in  a  day  or  two j — that  the 
tranfports  neceffary  for  their  embarkation  were  getting  ready 
with  the  utmoil  expedition  $ — that  there  had  been  great  move- 
ments and  confufion  among  the  troops,  the  night  and  day  pre- 
ceding his  coming  out,  in  hurrying  doxvn  their  cannon,  artil- 
lery and  other  ftores,  to  the  wharfs,  with  the  utmoft  precipita- 
tion, and  they  were  putting  them  on  board  the  {hips  in  fuch 
hafte,  that  no  account  or  memorandum  was  taken  of  th«m  ;— 
that  moft  of  the  cannon  were  removed  from  their  works,  and 
embarked  or  embarking  j — that  he  heard  a  woman  fay,  whom 
he  took  to  be  an  officer's  wife,  that  (he  had  feen  men  go  under" 
the  ground  at  the  lines  on  the  neck,  without  returning  ; — that 
the  ihip  he  commanded  was  taken  up,  places  fitted,  and  fitting 
for  officers  to  lodge,  and  feveral  (hot,  fhells,  and  cannon  alrea- 
dy on  board  ;  that  the  tories  were  to  have  the  liberty  of  going 
where  they  pleafe,  if  they  can  get  feamen  to  man  the  veiTels, 
of  whom  there  was  a  great  fcarcity  j — that,  on  that  account, 
many  veffels  could  not  be  carried  away,  and  would  be  burned ; 
— that  many  of  the  inhabitants  apprehended  the  town  would  be 
deftroyed  j  and  that  it  was  generally  thought  their  deftination 
is  Halifax." 

The  account  given  by  captain  Irvine,  as  to  the  embarkation, 
and  their  being  about  to  leave  the  town,  I  believe  true.  There 
are  other  circumftances  corroborating;  and  it  feems  fully  con- 
firmed by  a  paper  figiied  by  four  of  the  fele6l-men  of  the  town 
(a  copy  of  which  I  have  the  honor  to  inclofe  you),  which  was 
brought  out  yefterday  evening  by  a  flag,  and  delivered  to  colo- 
nel Learned,  by  major  Baflet  of  the  tenth  regiment,  who  de- 
fired  it  might  be  delivered  me  as  foon  as  poffible.  I  advifec! 
with  fuch  of  the  general  officers  upon  the  occafion,  as  I  could 
immediately  aiTemble  ;  and  we  determined  it  right  (as  it  was  not 
addreffed  to  me  or  any  one  elfe,  nor  authenticated  by  the  fig- 

nature 


88  GENERAL  WASHINGTON'S 

nature  of  general  Howe,  or  any  other  aft  obliging  him  to  a 
performance  of  the  promife  mentioned  on  his  part)  that  I  fhoulcl 
give  it  no  anfwer  ^  at  the  fame  time,  that  a  letter  fhould  be  re- 
turned, as  going  from  colonel  Learned,  fignifying  his  having 
laid  it  beiore  me, — with  the  reaions  aiTigned  for  not  anfwermg 
it. — A  copy  of  this  is  lent. 

To-night  I  fLall  have  a  battery  thrown  up  on  Nuke-hill 
(Doichefler  point)  with  a  defign  of  acting  as  circumiiances 
may  require  ;  it  being  judged  advifable  to  profecute  our  plans 
of  fortification  as  we  intended,  before  this  information  from,  the 
feleft-men  came. 

It  being  agreed  on  all  hands  that  there  is  no  poffihUity  of 
ilr.pping  them  in  cafe  they  determine  to  go, — I  {hall  order 
3ook-outs  to  be  kept  upon  all  the  head-lands,  to  difcover  their 
movements  and  courfe,  and  moreover  direct  commodore  Manly 
and  his  little  fquadron  to  dog  them,  as  well  for  the  fame  pur- 
pofe  as  for  picking  up  any  of  their  veilels  that  may  chance  to 
depart  their  convoy.  From  their  loading  with  fuch  precipi- 
tancy, it  is  prefurnable  they  will  not  be  in  the  beft  condition 
for  fea. 

If  the  minifterial  troops  evacuate  the  town  and  leave  h 
ftanding,  I  have  thoughts  of  taking  rneafures  for  fortifying- the 
entrance  into  the  harbor,  if  it  mall  be  thought  proper,  and  the 
fituation  of  affairs  will  admit  of  it. 

Notwithstanding  the  report  from  Boflon  that  Halifax  is  the 
place  of  their  deitination,  I  have  no  doubt  but  they  are  going 
to  the  fouthward  of  this, — and,  I  apprehend,  to  New-Yoik. 
Many  reafons  lead  to  this  opinion  :  it  is  in  fome  meafure  corro- 
borated by  their  fending  an  exprcfs  mip  there,  which,  on  wed- 
nefday  week,  got  on  more  and  bilged  at  Cape-Cod.  The  dif- 
patches,  if  written,  were  deftroyed  when  (he  was  boarded.  Sli- 
"had  a  parcel  of  coal,  and  about  four  thoufand  cannon-ihot,  ii.: 
carriage-guns,  a  fwivel  or  two,  and  three  barrels  of  powder. 

I  {hail  hold  the  riflemen  and  other  parts  of  'our  troops  in 
readineis  to  march  at  a  moment's  warning,  and  govern  my 
movements  by  the  events  that  happen,  or  fuch  orders  as  I  may 
receive  from  Congrefs,  which  I  beg  may  be  ample,  and  for- 
warded  with  all  poflible  expedition. 

On  the    fixth  inftant,  a  ihip  bound  from  London,  with  {lores 

for  the  minifterial  army,  coniiiling  of  coal,    porter,   and  kraut. 

fell  in  with  our  armed  veiTels,  four    of  them  in  company,   and 

v.vis  carried  into  Portfmouth.      She  had  had  a  long  paflage,  and 

^nt  no  papers  of  late  date.      The  only  letters  of 

importance. 


OFFICIAL   LETTERS. 

importance,  or  in  the  leaft  interefting,  that  were  found,  I  have 
in  do  fed. 

I*  beg  leave  to  mention  to  Congrefs  that  money  is  much 
wanted.  The  militia  from  thefe  governments,  engaged  till 
the  flrir.  of  April,  are  then  to  be  paid  :  and,  if  we  march  from. 
hence,  the  expenfe  will  be  very  confiderable,  muft  be  defrayed, 
and  cannot  be  aecomplimed  without  it.  The  neceflity  of  mak- 
ing the  eaiiieft  remittance  for  thefe  purpofes  is  too  obvious, 
fox  me  to  add  more. 

When  I  wrote  that  part  of  this  letter  which  is  antecedent  to 
this,  date,  I  fully  expected  it  would  have  gone  before  now  by 
colonel  Bull,  not  deeming  it  of  fufficient  importance  to  fend  a 
Ijpeoial  meffenger.  But  he  deferred  his  return  from  time  to 
time,  and  never  fet  off  till  to-day.  Thefe  reafons  I  hope  will 
excufe  the  delay,  and  be  received  as  a  proper  apology  for  not 
transmitting  it  fooner* 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c.  G.  W. 


SIR,  Cambridge,   March  13,   1776. 

IN  my  letter  of  the  feventh  and  ninth  inflant  which  I 
}iad  the  honor  of  addreffing  you,  I  mentioned  the  intelli- 
gence I  had  received  refpecling  the  embarkation  of  the  troops 
from  Boilon  j  and  fully  expecled,  before  this,  that  the  town 
would  have  been  entirely  evacuated.  Although  I  have  been 
deceived,  and  was  rather  premature  in  the  opinion  I  had  then. 
formed,  I  have  little  reafon  to  doubt  'but  the  event  will  take 
place  in  a  very  (hort  time,  as  other  accounts  which  have  come 
to  hand  iince,  of  the  failing  of  a  great  number  of  tranfports 
.froni  the  harbor  of  Nantaiket  road,  and  many  circumftances 
correfponding  therewith,  feem  to  confirm  and  render  it  un- 
queftionable. 

Whether  the  town  will  be  deftroyed,  is  a  matter  of  much. 
uncertainty  :  but  it  would  feem,  from  the  deflrucliion  they  are 
making  of  fundry  pieces  of  furniture,  of  many  of  their  Waggons, 
carts,  &.c.  which  they  cannot  take  with  them  as  it  is  laid,  that 
it  will  not  :  for,  if  they  intended  it,  the  whole  might  be  involv- 
ed ia  one  general  ruin. 

Holding  it  of  the  laft  importance  in  the  prefent  conteft  that 
iv?e  fljould  fecure  New-York,  and  prevent  the  enemy  from  pof- 
feffing  it,  —  and  conjecturing  they  have  views  of  that  fort,  and 
their  embarkation  to  be  for  that  purpofe,  —  I  judged  it  neceifa-. 
ry,  under  the  fituati.on  of  things  here,  to  call  a  council  of  gene-. 

M  ral 


5,o  GENERAL  WASHINGTON'* 

ral  officers'  to  confult  of  fuch  meafures  as  might  be  expedient  to 
be  taken  at  this  interefting  conjuncture  of  affairs.  A  copy  of 
the  proceedings  T  have  the  honor  to  inclofe  you. 

Agreeable  to  the  opinion  of  the  council,  I  (hall  detach  the 
rifle  regiment  to-morrow,  under  the  command  of  brigadier-ge- 
neral Sullivan,  with  orders  to  repair  to  New-York  with  all 
poffible  expedition  ; — which  will  be  fucceeded,  the  day  after, 
by  the  other  five  in  one  brigade, — they  being  all  that  it  was 
thought  advifable  to  fend  from  hence  till  the  enemy  mall  have 
quitted  the  town.  Immediately  upon  their  departure,  I  mall 
fend  forward  major-general  Putnam,  and  follow  myfelf  with 
the  remainder  of  the  army  as  foon  as  I  have  it  in  my  power,—- 
leaving  here  fuch  a  number  of  men  as  circumftances  may  feera 
to  require. 

As  the  badnefs  of  the  roads  at  this  feafon  will  greatly  retard 
the  march  of  our  men,  I  have,  by  advice  of  the  general  officers, 
wrote  to  governor  Trumbull  by  this  exprefs,  to  ufe  his  utraoft 
exertions  for  throwing  a  reinforcement  of  two  thoufand  men 
into  New- York,  from  the  weftern  parts  of  ConnefUcut, — and 
to  the  commanding  officer  there,  to  apply  to  the  provincial 
convention  or  committee  of  fafety  of  New-Jerfey,  for  a  thou- 
fand more  for  the  fame  purpofe,  to  oppofe  the  enemy  and  pre- 
vent their  getting  poffeflion,  in  cafe  they  arrive  before  the  troops 
from  hence  can  get  there  j  of  which  there  is  a  probability,  un- 
lefs  they  are  impeded  by  contrary  winds.  This  meafure, 
though  it  may  be  attended  with  confiderable  expenfe,  I  flatter 
myfelf,  will  meet  with  the  approbation  of  Congrefs. — Pail  ex- 
perience, and  the  lines  in  Bofton  and  on  Boiton  neck,  point 
out  the  propriety,  and  fuggell  the  neceffity  of  keeping  our  ene- 
mies from  gaining  pofieflion  and  making  a  lodgment. 

Should  their  deilination  be  further  fouthward,  or  for  Hali- 
fax (as  reported  in  BoilonJ  for  the  purpofe  of  going  into  Cana- 
da,— the  march  of  our  troops  to  New-York  will  place  them 
Bearer  the  fcene  of  action,  and  more  convenient  for  affording 
fuccaurs. 

We  have  not  taken  poft  on  Nuke-hill,  and  fortified  it,  as 
mentioned  that  we  mould,  in  my  laft.  On  hearing  that  the 
enemy  were  about  to  retreat  and  leave  the  town,  it  was  thought 
imprudent  and  unadvifable  to  force  them  with  too  much  pre- 
cipitation, that  we  might  gain  a  little  time,  and  prepare  for  a 
march.  To-morrow  evening  we  mall  take  poffeffion,  unlefs 
they  are  gone. 

As  New- York  is  of  fuch  importance, — prudence  and  policy 
require  that  every  precaution  that  can  be  deVifed  mould  be 

adopted 


OFFICIAL    LETTERS.  p, 

adopted,  to  fruftrate  the  defigns  which  the  enemy  have  of  pof- 
lefTing  it.  To  this  end  I  have  ordered  velTels  to  be  provided 
and  held  ready  at  Norwich,  for  the  embarkation  and  tranfpor- 
Jatioii  of  our  troops  thither.  This  I  have  done  with  a  view  not 
only  of  greatly  expeditic^  their  arrival  (as  it  will  fave  feveral 
jdays'  marching),  but  alfo  that  they  may  be  frefh  and  fit  for  in- 
trenching and  throwing  up  works  of  defence  as  foon  as  they 
#et  there,  if  they  do  not  meet  the  enemy  to  contend  with  \ — 
fpjr  neither  of  which  would  they  be  in  a  proper  condition  after 
£  long  and  fatiguing  march  in  bad  roads.  If  Wallace,  with  his 
ihips,  mould  be  apprifed  of  the  meaiure,  and  attempt  to  prevent 
it  by  popping  up  the  harbor  of  New-London,  they  can  but 
purfue  their  march  by  land. 

You  will  pleafe  to  obferve  that  it  is  the  opinion  of  the  gene- 
ral officers,  if  the  enemy  abandon  the  town,  that  it  will  be  un- 
Reqeffary  to  employ  or  keep  any  part  of  this  army  for  its  de- 
fence -j  and  that  I  have  mentioned,  on  that  event's  happening,, 
I  ihall  immediately  repair  to  New-York  with  the  remainder  of 
tbie  army  not  now  detached,  leaving  onlyfucha  number  of  men 
here  as  circumftances  may  feem  to  require.  What  I  partly  al- 
lude to,  is,  that,  as  it  will  take  a  connderable  time  for  the  re-, 
mqval  of  fuch  a  body  of  men,  and  the  diviiions  muft  precede 
e.ach  other  in  fuch  order  as  to  allow  intermediate  time  fufficient 
tor  them  to  be  covered  and  provided  for,  and  many  things, 
done  previous  to  the  march  of  the  whole,  for  fecuring  and  for- 
warding fuch  neceiTaries  as  cannot  be  immediately  carried,  and 
others  which  may  be  proper  to  keep  here, — that  directions 
might  be  received  from  Congrefs  refpe&ing  the  fame,  and  as 
many  men  ordered  to  remain  for  that  and  other  purpofes,  as' 
they  may  judge  proper.  I  could  wim  to  have  their  commands 
noon  the  fubjeCr.,  and  in  time  ;  as  I  may  be  under  fome  degree 
of  embarrafifment  as  to  their  views. 

Congiefs  having  been  pleafed  to  appoint  colonel  Thompfpn 
?.  brigadier  general,  there  is  a  vacancy  for  a  colonel  in  the  re- 
giment he  commanded,  to  which  I  would  beg  leave  to  recom- 
mend the  lieutenant-colonel  Hand.  I  fhall  alfo  take  the  liber- 
ty pi  recommending  captain  Hugh  Stephenfon,  of  the  Virginia 
riflemen,  to  fucceed  colonel  Hand,  and  to  be  appointed  in  his 
place  as  a  lieutenant-colonel, — there  being  no  major  to  the  re- 
giment fince  the  promotion  of  major  Magravv  to  be  lieutenant- 
colonel  of  one  of  the  Pennfylvania  battalions,  and  who  is  gone 
from  hence.  He  is,  in  my  opinion,  the  fitteft  perfon  in  this 
army  for  it,  as  well  as  the  oldeft  captain  in  the  fervice,  having 
dliiinguiihcj.  hirafelf  at  the  head  of  a  rifle  comjpany  all  the  lafi 

war, 


92  GENERAL  WASHINGTON'S 

•war,  and  highly  merited  the   approbation  of  his  fuperior   • 
cers. 

Colonel  MifRin  informed  me  to-day  of  his  having  received 
tent-cloths  from  Mr.  Barrell  of  Philadelphia,  to  the  amount  of 
fcven  thoufand  five  hundred  pounds  Pennsylvania  currency,  and 
applied  for  a  warrant  for  payment  of  it.  But,  as  our  fund  is 
low,  and  many  neceffary  demands  againll  it  which  muft  be  fa- 
tisfled, — ^and  our  calls  for  money  are  and  will  be  exceedingly 
great, — I  conic]  not  grant  it,  thinking  it  might  be  convenient 
for  payment  to  be  made  in  Philadelphia,  by  your  order  on  the 
treafury  there. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c.  G.  W. 


SIR,  Head-starters,  Cambridge,   March  19,  1776,, 

IT  is  with  the  greateil  pleafure  I  inform  you,  that,  on 
funday  laft,  the  feventeenth  inflant,  about  nine  o'clock  in  the 
forenoon,  the  minifierial  army  evacuated  the  town  of  Bofton, 
and  that  the  forces  of  the  United  Colonies  are  now  in  actual 
poffeffion  thereof.  I  beg  leave  to  congratulate  you,  fir,  and 
the  honorable  Congrefs,  on  this  happy  event,  and  particularly 
as  it  was  effefted  without  endangering  the  lives  and  property 
of  the  remaining  unhappy  inhabitants. 

I  have  great  reafon  to  imagine  their  flight  was  precipitated 
by  the  appearance  of  a  work  which  I  had  ordered  to  be  thrown 
up  laft  faturday  night  on  an  eminence  at  Dorcheiler,  which  lay 
Iieareft  to  Bofton  neck,  called  Nuke-hill. 

Trie  town,  although  it  has  fuffered  greatly,  is  not  in  fo  bad 
a  ftate  as  I  expefted  to  find  it ,  and  I  have  a  particular  plea- 
iure  in  being  able  to  inform  you,  fir,  that  your  houfe  has  re- 
ceived no  damage  worth  mentioning.  Your  furniture  is  in  to- 
lerable order,  and  the  family  pictures  are  all  left  entire  and 
untouched.  Captain  Cazneau  takes  charge  of  the  whole,  un- 
til he  mail  receive  further  orders  from  you. 

As  foon  as  the  minifterial  troops  had  quitted  the  town,  I  or- 
dered a  thouland  'men  (who  had  had  the  fmall-pox),  under 
command  of  general  Putnam,  to  take  poffeflion  of  the  heights, 
which  I  ihall  endeavor  to  fortify  in  fuch  a  manner  as  to  pre- 
vent their  return,  mould  they  attempt  it.  But,  as  they  arc 
ftill  in  the  harbor,  I  thought  it  not  prudent  to  march  off  with 
the  main  body  of  the  army  until  I  mould  be  fully  fatisfied  they1 
had  quitted  the  coaft.  \  have  therefore  only  detached  five  re* 

gimcrits, 


O  F  F  I  C  I  A  L    L  E  T  T  K  R-S.  93 

,  be&les  the  rifle  battalion,  to  New-York,  and  fh all 
keep  the  remainder  here  till  all  fufpicion  of  their  return  ceafes. 

The  fit  nation  in  which  I  found  their  xvorks  evidently  difco- 
vered  that  their  retreat  was  made  with  the  greateil  precipita- 
tion. They  have  left  their  barracks  and  other  works,  of  wood 
at  Bunker's-lull,  &c.  all  Handing,  and  have  •  deflroyed  but  a 
{mail  part  of  their  lines.  They  have  alfo  left  a  number  of  fins 
pieces  of  cannon  which  they  fifft  f piked  up,  alfo  a  very  large 
iron  mortar  ;  and,  as  I  am  informed,  they  have  thrown  another 
over  the  end  of  your  wharf.  I  have  employed  proper  perfons 
to  drill  the  cannon,  and  doubt  not  I  (hall  fave  the  molt  of  them. 
• — I  arri  not  yet  able  to  procure  an  exacl:  lift  of  all  the  {lores 
they  have  left.  As  foon  as  it  can  be  done,  I  (hall  take  care  to 
tranfmit  it  to  you, — From  an  eftimate  of  what  the  quarter-maf- 
Ter-general  has  already  difcovered,  the  amount  will  be  twenty- 
five  or  thirty  thou&nd  pounds. 

Part  of  the  powder  mentioned  in  yours  of  the  fixth  inftant 
has  already  arrived.  The  remainder  I  have  ordered  to  be 
flopped  on  the  road,  as  we  (hall  have  no  occalion  tor  it  here.— 
The  letter  to  general  Thomas,  I  immediately  fent  to  him.  He 
defired  leave  for  three,  or  four  days,  to  fettle  fome  of  his  pri- 
vate affairs  5  after  which,  he  will  fet  out  for  his  command  in 
Canada. — I  am  happy  that  my  conduct  in  intercepting  lord 
Drummond's  letter  is  approved  of  by  Congrefs. 

I  hdve  the  honor  to  be;  &c.  G.  W. 


SIR,  Cambridge,  March  24,   1776* 

WHEN  I  had  the  honor  to  addrefs  you  on  the  nineteenth 
Jnftant  upon  the  evacuation  of  the  town  of  Bofton  by  the  mi- 
mfterial  army,  I  fully  expecled,  as  their  retreat  and  embarka- 
tion were  hurried  and  precipitate,  that,  before  now,  they  would 
have  departed  the  harbor,  and  been  far  in  their  parTage  to  the 
place  of  their  deflination.  But,  to  my  furprife  and  diiappoint- 
rnent,  the  fleet  is  flill  in  Nantafket  road.  The  purpofe  induc- 
ing' their  ftay  is  altogether  unknown  :  nor  can  I  fugged  any 
fatjsfa&ory  reafon  for  it.  On  wednefday  night  laft^  before  the 
whole  of  the  fleet  fell  down  to  Nantafket,  they  demolimed  the 
caitle  and  houfes  belonging  to  it,  by  burning  them  down,  and 
the  feveral  fortifications.  They  left  a  great  number  of  cannon, 
but  have  rendered  all  of  them,  except  a.  very  few,  entirely  ufe- 
Icfs,  by  breaking  off  the  trunnions  j  and  thofe  they  fpiked  up  : 

but 


V4  GENERAL  WASHINGTON'* 

but  they  imy  be  made  ferviceable  again  :— rfom.2   are 
done. 

There  are  feveral  veffels  in  the  docks,  which  were  taken  by 
the  enemy  (feme  with,  and  others  without  cargoes),  which  dif- 
ferent pjEiTons  claim  as  their  property  and  right.  Are  they  to 
be  reftored  to  their  fbrmer  owners  on  making  proof  of  their 
title,  or  to  belong  to  the  continent,  as  captures  made  from  the 
enemy  ? — I  wife  Congrefs  would  direct  a  mode  of  proceeding 
again  tl  them,  and  eltabliih  a  rule  for  decinon  :  they  appear  to 
me  to  be  highly  neceffary.  In  like  manner,  fome  of  the  can- 
non which  are  in  Bofton  are  faid  to  have  come  from  the  callle. 
Suppofmg  them,  with  thofe  remaining  at  the  caille,  to  have 
been  purchafed  by  and  provided  originally  at  the  expenfe  of 
this  province, — are  they  notv  to  be  coniidered  as  belonging  to 
it,  or  to  the  public  ?  I  beg  leave  to  refer  the  matter  to  the 
opinion  of  Congrefs,  and  pray  their  direction  how  I  am  to  con- 
lefpecling  them. 


terate  difpofiiiori,  in  the  town  of  Boiton,  I  thought  it  prudent 
to  write  to  the  honorable  general  court  upon  the  fuhjedl,  that 
it  might  be  inquired  after  and  fecured.  A  copy  of  the  letter 
1  herewith  fend  you,  and  fubmit  it  to.  Congrefs  through  you, 
whether  they  will  not  determine  how  it  is  to  be  difpofed  of, 
and  as  to  the  appropriation  of  the  money  arifmg  from  the  fale 
of  the  fame. 

As  foon  as  the  town  was  abandoned  by  the  enemy,  I  judged 
it  advifable  to  fecure  the  ieveral  heights,  left  they  mould  at- 
tempt to  return  j  and,  for  this  purpofe,  have  caufed  a  large  and 
itrong  woik  to  be  thrown  up  at  Fort-hill,  a  poll  of  great  im- 
portance, as  it  commands  the  whole'harbor,  and,  wh^n  forti- 

.,  if  properly  fupported,  will  greatly  annoy  any  fleet  the  ene- 
my may  fend  againlt  the  town,  and  render  the  landing  of  their 
troops  exceedingly  difficult,  if  not  impracticable.  This  work 
is  almolt  done,  and  in  a  little  time  will  be  complete  :  and,  that 
the  communication  between  the  toxvn  and  country  may  be  free 
and  open,  I  have  ordered  all  the  lines  upon  the  neck  to  be  im- 
mediately deftroyed,  and  the  other  works  on  the  fides  of  the, 
town  facing  the  country,  that  the  inhabitants  from  the  latter 
may  not  be  impeded,  and  afforded  an  eafy  entrance,  in  cafe  the 
enemy  ftiould  gain  poffeffion  at  any  future  time.  Thefe  mat- 
ters I  conceived  to  be  within  the  line  of  my  duty  j^of,  which  I 
ad n fed  the  general  court,  and  recommended  to  their  attention* 

fueh 


OFFICIAL    L  E  T  T  E  R  S ,  95 

fucli  other  meafures  as  they  might  think  neceflary  for  fecuring 
the  town  againfl  the  hofiile  deiigns  of  the  enemy. 

I  have  juft  got  an  inventory  of  ilores  and  property  belonging 
td  the  crown,  which  the  enemy  left  in  Boii on,  at  the  caille,  and 
Bunkers-hill, — which  I  have  the  honor  to  tranfmit  you  ;  and 
(hall  give  ftricl:  orders  that  a  careful  attention  be  had  to  any 
more  that  may  be  found.  I  fhall  take  fuch  precautions  re- 
fpecting  them,  that  they  may  be  fecure,  and  turn  to  the  pub- 
lic advantage,  as  much  as  poffible,  or  circurnfiances  will  admit 
of. 

A  Mr.  Bulfinch  from  Bofton,  who  a£led  as  a  clerk  to  Mr* 

,  having  put  into  my  hands  a  lift  of  rations  drawn  the 

iaturday  before  the  troops  evacuated  the  town,  I  have  inclofed 
it  for  your  infpe&ion.  He  fays,  neither  the  flaff  officers  nor. 
women  are  included  in  the  lift  j  from  which  it  appears  that  their 
number  is  greater  than  we  had  an  idea  of. 

Major-general  Ward  and  brigadier  general  Fyre  are  deiirous 
of  leaving  the  fervice,  and,  for  that  purpofe,  have  requefted  me 
to  lay  the  matter  before  Congrefs  that  they  may  be  allowed  to> 
refign  then  commiflions.  The  papers  containing  their  applica- 
tions you  will  herewith  receive.  They  will  give  you  a  full  and 
more  particular  information  upon  the  fubje£t  :  and  therefore  I 
mail  take  the  liberty  of  referring  you  to  them. 

I  would  mention  to  Congrefs  that  the  commirTary  of  artillery 
ftores  has  informed  me,  that  whatever  powder  has  been  fent 
to  this  camp  has  always  come  without  any  bill  afcertaining  the 
number  of  caiks  or  quantity.  This  it  is  probable,  has  proceed- 
ed from  forgetfulnefs  or  inattention  in  the  perfons  appointed  to 
fend  it,  or  the  negligence  of  thofe  who  brought  it,  though  they 
have  declared  otherwife,  and  that  they  never  had  any.  As  it 
may  in  fome  meafure  pievent  embezzlements  (though  I  do  net 
fufpecr.  any  to  have  been  made),  and  the  commiiTary  will  know; 
what  and  how  much  to  receive,  and  be  enabled  to  difcover  mif- 
takcs  if  any  ihould  happen, — I  mould  be  glad  if  you  will  .direct 
a  bill  of  parcels  to  be  always  fent  in  future. 

There  have  been  fo  many  accounts  from  England,  all  agree- 
ing that  commiflioners  are  coming  to  America,  to  propofe  terms 
for  an  accommodation,  as  they  fay, — that  I  am  inclined  to  think 
the  time  of  their  arrival  not  very  far  off. — If  they  come  to  J3of- 
ton  (which  probably  will  be  the  cafe,  if  they  come  to  America 
at  all)  1  fliall  be  under  much  embarraffment  refpecling  the 
manner  of  receiving  them,  and  the  mode  of  treatment  that 
ought  to  be  ufed.  I  therefore  pray  that  Congrefs  will  give  me. 
stiicftigns.  and  point  out  tlie  line  of  conduct  to  be  fmrfued,— - 

whether 


96  GENERAL  WASHINGTON'S 

•whether  they  are  to  be  conlidered  as  ambaiTadors,  and  to  have  £ 
pafs  or  permit  for  repairing  through  the  country  to  Philadelphia 
or  to  any  other  place, — or  whether  they  are  to  be  retrained  in 
any  and  what  manner.  I  (hall  anxioufly  wait  their  orders,  and, 
whatever  theyaie,  comply  Math  them  literally. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c.  G.  W« 


SIR,  Cambridge,  March  27,    1776* 

•  I    Received   your  favcr  of  the  eleventh  inftant  by  faturday 
night's  poll  ;    and  muft  beg  pardon  for  not  acknowledging  it  in, 
my  laft  of  the  twenty-fourth.     The  hurry  I  was  then  in  occafi 
cned  the  neglect,  and  I  hope  will  apologife  for  it* 

I  now  beg  leave  to  inform  you  that  I  have  juft  received  in- 
telligence, that  the  whole  of  the  minifleiial  fleet,  belides  three 
cr  four  (hips,  got  under  way  this  evening  at  Nantafket  road, 
and  were  {landing  out  for  fea  j  in  confequence  of  which,  I  fhall 
detach  a  brigade  of  fix  regiments  immediately  from  hence  for 
New-York,  under  the  command  of  brigadier-general  Sullivan 
(brigadier-general  Heath  having  gone  with  the  firfl)  j  which 
will  be  fucceeded  by  another  in  a  day  or  two  ;  and  direclly 
after,  I  mall  forward  the  remainder  of  the  army  (except  four 
or  five  regiments  which  will  be  left  for  taking  care  of  the 
barracks  and  public  ftores,  and  fortifying  the  town,  and  erect- 
ing fuch  works  for  its  defence  as  the  honorable  general  court 
may  think  neceffary) — and  follow  myfelf. 

Apprehending  that  general  Thomas  will  ftand  in  need  of 
fome  artilleries  in  Canada,  I  have  ordered  two  companies  of 
the  train  to  march  immediately:  and  two  mortars,  with  a  quan- 
tity of  (hells  and  (hot,  to  be  fent  him. — He  fet  out  on  the 
twenty -firft  inftant. 

Inclofed  you  have  a  copy  of  the  return  of  ordnance  (lores  left 
in  Boilon  by  the  enemy.  In  it  are  not  included  the  cannon  left 
at  the  caille,  amounting  to  a  hundred  and  thirty-five  pieces,  as 
reported,  all  of  which,  except  a  very  few,  they  have  deftroyed 
and  rendered  ufelefs,  by  knocking  off  the  trunnions,  and  (pik- 
ing up. 

I  beg  leave  to  tranfrnit  you  the  copy  of  a  petition  from  the 
inhabitants  of  Nova-Scotia,  brought  me  by  *  *  *  efquire, 
mentioned  therein,  who  is  now  here  with  an  Acadian.  From 
this  it  appears  they  are  in  a  diftreffed  (ituation;  and,  from  Mr. 

*  *  *>s   account,  are   exceedingly  apprehenlivc  that  they  wiH 


OFFICIAL    IE TTE'RS.  97 

be  reduced  to  the  difagreeahlc  alternative  of  taking  up' arms  and 
joining  our  enemies,  or  to  flee  their  country,  unlefs  they  can 
be  protected  againil  their  infults  and  oppressions.  He  fays  that 
their  committees  think  many  falutary  and  valuable'confequences 
would  be  derived  from  five  or  Ijx  hundred  men  being  fent  there, 
'as  it  would  not  only  quiet  the  minds  of  the  people  from  the 
-anxiety  and  uneafmefs  they  are  now  filled  with,  and  enable 
them  to  take  a  part  in  behalf  of  the  colonies,  but  be  the  means 
of  preventing  the  Indians  (of  whom  there  are  a  good  many) 
from  taking  the  fide  of  government,  and  the  minifterial  troops 
from  getting  fuch  fupplies  of  provifioos  from  thence  as  they 
have  done. 

How  far  thefe  good  purpofes  would  be  anfwered  if  fuch  a 
force  was  fent  as  they  afk  for,  is  irapodible  to  determine  in  the 
prefent  uncertain  ftate  of  things.  For,  if  the  srmy  from  Boftoii 
is  going  to  Halii'ax  (as  reported  by  them  before  their  depar- 
ture), that  or  a  much  more  conliderable  force  would  be  of  no 
avaj[ : — if  not,  and  they  poffefs  the  friendly  difpolition  to  our 
•caufe,  fuggefted  in  the  petition  and  declared  by  Mr.  *  *  *,  it 
might  be  or  great  fervice,  unlefs  another  body  of  troops  mould 
be  fent  thither  by  adminiitration,  too  powerful  for  them  to  op- 
pofe.  It  being  a  matter  of  fome  importance,  I  judged  it  pru- 
dent to  lay  it  before  Congrtrfs  for  their  confideration  •,  and,  re- 
fuelling their  direction  upon  the  fubjecl,  fhall  only  add,  if  they 
determine  to  adopt  it,  that  they  will  prefcribe  the  number  to 
be  fent,  and  whether  it  is  to  be  from  the  regiments  which  will 
be  left  here. — I  mail  wait  their  decifion,  and,  whatever  it  is, 
will  endeavor  to  have  it  carried  into  execution. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c.  G.  W. 


SIR,  Head-Quarters,  Cambridge,  April  i,    1776* 

THIS  letter  will  be  delivered  you  by  *  *  *,  efquire,  the 
gentleman  from  Nova- Scotia,  whom  I  mentioned  to  you  iu 
inlae  of  the  twenty-feventh  ultimo.  He  feemed  deiirous  ot 
waiting  on  the  honorable  Congrefs,  in  order  to  lay  before  them 
the  (late  of  public  affairs,  and  fituation  of  'die  inhabitants  of 
that  .province.  And,  as  it  might  be  in  his  power  to  commu- 
nicate many  things  peifonally  which  could  not  be  fo  well  done 
by  letter,  I  encouraged  him  in  his  defign,  and  have  advanced 
•him  fifty  dollars  to  defray  his  expenfes.  Tjbe  Acadian  accom- 
panies him:  and,  as  tlie.y  f&em  to  be  folid  judicious  men,  I  beg 

N  leave 


$3  GENERAL    WA3HINGTONY 

leavi  to  recommend  them  both   to  the  notice  of   Congrefs  •, — - 
and  am  moft  refpedfully,  fir,  your  moil  obedient,  &.c.      G.  We 


SIR,  Head-quarters,  Cambridge,  April  i,    1776. 

AN  exprefs  arrived  this  morning  with  a  letter  from  go- 
vernor Cooke  of  Rhode-Ifland,  of  xvhich  the  inclofed  is  a  copy. 
In  confcqurnce  of  this  important  intelligence,  I  immediately  dif- 
patched  an  exprefs  after  general  Sullivan,  who  is  on  his  march 
to  Norwich  with  fix^  regiments,  and  ordered  him  to  file  off  to 
Providence,  if  he  ihould  be  fo  defired  by  governor  Cooke,  to 
whom  I  have  wrote  on  the  fubject. 

General  Greene  was  to  have  marched  this  morning  with  five 
more  regiments,  by  way  of  Providence.  I  have  ordered  him 
to  haften  his  march  for  that  place  j  and  hope  to  collect  a  force 
there,  fufficient  to  prevent  the  enemy  from  effecting  their  pur- 
pofe. 

Whether  this  movement  be  only  a  feint  to  draw  our  atten- 
tion from  their  principal  object,  or  not,  is  at  prefcnt  impoffible 
to  determine.- — I  momently  expect  further  intelligence  from 
governor  Cooke. — If  the  alarm  ihould  be  well  grounded,  I 
i.'iall  haften  to  Providence,  and  make  the  necefiary  difpofition^ 
for  their  reception.  I  beg  you  to  affure  the  honorable  Con- 
gieis  I  mall  exert  myfelf  to  the  utmoft  to  fruftrate  the  defigns 
cf  the  enemy. 

I  am,  iir,  your  mofl  obedient,  &c.  G.  W. 


SIR,  Cambridge ,  ^pril  4,   17/6. 

I  WAS  honored  with  your  favors  of  the  twenty-firft  and 
twenty-fifth  ultimo,  on  the  fecond  inftant, — the  former  by  Mr. 
Hanfon,  &c, — the  latter  by  FeiTenden.  I  heartily  wilh  the 
money  had  arrived  fooner,  that  the  militia  might  have  been 
paid  as  toon  as  their  time  of  fervice  expired.  The  difappoinN 
rnent  has  given  them  great  uneafinefs,  and  they  are  gone  home 
much  diffktisfied  :  nor  have  I  been  without  fevere  complaints 
from  the  other  troops,  on  the  fame  account.  When  I  get  to 
New-York,  I  hope  a  fufficient  fum  will  be  there,  ready  to  pay 
every  claim. 

It  is  not  in  my  power  to  make   report  of  the   deficiency  of 
arms,  in  compliance  with  the  direction  of  Congrefs,  at  this  time, 

as 


OFFICIAL     LETTERS.  ^9 

as  fome  of  the  regiments  are  at,  and  moft  of  the  other  on  their 
march  to  New-York ;  nor  do  I  know  that  it  would  anfwer  any 
good  purpofe,  if  it  were, — ;having  made  repeated  applications 
to  the  feveral  affemblies  and  conventions  upon  the  fubjeft,  and 
conitantly  received  for  anfwej,  that  they,  could  afford  no  relief. 

When  I  arrive  at  New- York,  I  mall,  in  purfuance  of  the 
order  of  Congrefs,  detach  four  battalions  to  Canada,  if  the  fitu- 
ation  of  affairs  will  admit  of  it  j  and  fnall  be  extremely  happy 
if  they  and  the  troops  already  there  can  efFe6t  the  important 
end  of  their  going. 

In  my  letter  of  the  firfl  inftant,  per  poft,  I  inclofed  you  a 
copy  of  a  letter  from  governor  Cooke,  adviling  me  of  the  arri- 
val of  a  {hip  of  war,  &.c.  at  and  near  the  harbor  of  Newport. 
I  have  now  the  pleafure  to  inform  you  that  the  report  was  en- 
tirely premature,  and  without  any  foundation.  You  have  a 
copy  of  his  Tetter  of  the  firfl  inftant  to  this  effecl:. — I  wifji  the 
alarm  had  never  been  given  :  it  occasioned  general  Sullivan  and 
his  brigade  to  make  an  unneceiTary  and  inconvenient  diverfion 
from  their  route. 

Incloftd  is  a  copy  of  an  account,  prefented  by  the  honorable 
general  court,  of  powder  furnifhed  the  continental  army  by  this 
colony.  From  the  account,  it  appears  that  part  of  it  was  fup- 
plied  before  the  army  was  under  my  command  j  and  therefore 
I  know  nothing  of  it  ;  but  have  not  the  finalleft  doubt  of  the 
juilice  of  the  charge.  I  mail  leave  about  two  hundred  barrels 
of  this  article  with  major-general  Ward,  out  of  which  Congrefs 
will  direct  him  to  make  a  return,  if  they  think  proper,— and 
al.Cb  repayment  of  what  may  have  been  furnifhed  by  the  other 
governments. 

A  proclamation  of  general  Howe's,  iflued  a  few  days  before 
his  departure  from  town,  having  fallen  into  my  hands,  I  have 
inclofed  ypu  a  copy,  which  will,  probably  have  been  the  occa- 
fion  of  large  quantities  of  gooda  being  carried  away  and  the 
removal  of  many  perfons>  which  otherwife  would  not  have  hap- 
pened. 

Colonel  Warren,  paymafter-general,  finding  the  army  likely 
to  be  removed  from  hence,  informed  me  the  other  day  that  the 
lituation  of  his  affairs  and  engagements  in  the  bufmefs  of  the 
colony  are  fuch,  as  to  prevent  him  from  perfonally  attending 
the  army  j  and  offered,  in  cafe  it  mould  be  required,  to  refign. 
This  was  rather  embarraffing.  To  me  it  appears  indifpeni'ably 
rieceffary  that  the  pay  mailer-general,  with  his  books,  mould  be 
at  or  near  head-quarters.  Indeed  it  is  ufual  for  the  head  of 
department  in  the  army,  however  difperfed  that  army 


io-5  GENERAL  WASHINGTON'S 

may  be,  to  be  with  the  commanding  general,  keeping  deputies 
in  tlje  fmaller  departments.  On  the  other  hand,  colonel  War- 
ren's merit  and  attachment  to  the  caufe  are  fuch,  that  I  could 
GO  nothing  leis  than  deiire  (as  forne  money  muft  be  left  for  the 
pay  and  contingent  charges  of  the  army  which  will  remain 
here),  he  would  wait  here  till  Congrefs  fhall  be  pleafed  to'  give 
their  ientiments  upon  the  matter, — fending,  in  the  mean  time, 
ibme  pedbn  in  whom  he  could  confide,  with  the  money,  but 
little  of  which  there  will  be  to  carry,  though  great  the  de- 
mands, as  nine  of  the  regiments  which  have  marched  to  New- 
York  have  only  received  five  hundred  pounds  each,  towards 
their  pay  "for  the  months  of  February  and  March, — and  fix 
others,  not  a  farthing.  I  hope  therefore  this  matter  will  be 
coniidered  by  Congrefs,  and  the  refult  tranfmitted  me  as  focn 
23  done, 

I  would  alfo  mention  to  Congrefs  that  the  militia  regiments 
which  were  laft  called  upon,  in  making  up  their  abitrafts-, 
charged  pay, — the  officers,  from  the  time  they  received  orders 
to  raife  companies, — and  the  privates,  from  the  time  they  re- 
fpeftively  engaged  to  come  or  were  called  upon,  though  they 
did  not  march  for  a  coniiderabie  time  after, — forne  not  within 
three,  four,  or  twenty  days,  during  all  which,  they  remained 
at  home  about  their  own  private  affairs,  without  doing  any 
thing  elfe  than  "  preparing  for  the  march,"  as  they  fay  by  way 
of  plea.  This  appeared  to  me  fo  exceedingly  unreafonable, 
and  fo  contrary  to  jufticc,  that  the  public  mould  pay  for  a  Ion 
ger  time  than  from  the  day  of  their  march  to  that  of  their  re- 
turn, that  I  ordered  the  abftrafts  to  be  made  out  accordingly, 
and  refufed  to  give  warrants  on  any  other  terms.  They  fay 
that  the  enlifting  orders,  which  went  out  from  their  govern- 
ments, give  them  the  pay  they  claim.  The  fact  may  be  that 
fomething  in  thefe  may  feem  to  authorife  it  :  but  I  rnuft  fubmit 
it  to  Congrefs,  and  wifh  for  their  decinon,  whether  the  conti- 
nent muft  pay  it. — -I  am,  ivith  great  elteem,  &c,  G.  W. 

P.  S.    1  fhall  fet  off  to-day." 


SIR,  New-Tor^  April  15,   1776. 

I  AM  now  to  inform  you  that  on  the  fourth  inftant  I  fet 
out  from  Cambridge,  and  arrived  here  on  faturday  laft.  1  came 
through  Providence,  Norwich,  and  New-London,  in  order  to 
fee  and  expedite  the  embarkation  of  the  troops.  The  third 
brigade,  under  the  command  of  general  Greene,  was  at  New- 
London 


O  F  FI.CTA-L-'  L  E  T  T  E  R'S.  lor 

London  when  I  left  it,  where  there  was  a  fufficient  number  o£ 
tranfports  to  embark  them,— and  moil  probably  would  have 
arrived  here  before  this,  had  it  not  been  for  a  fevere  florin- 
which  happened  .the? -night  they  (axled,  which  .difperled  them, 
and,  I  fear,  has  doBQiftfeffll  fome  injury.  se* 

General  Spencer,  with  the  laft  brigade,  marched  from  Rox- 
bury  the  day  I  left  Cambridge,  and  would  be  at  New-London, 
ready  to  embark  in  the  return  tranfports  which  brought  gene- 
ral Sullivan's  diviiion,  to  this  place.  The  whole  of  the  troops 
may  be  reafonably  expected  here  in  the  courfe  of  this  week. 
The  badnefs  6f  the  roads,  and  difficulty  of  procuring  teams  for 
bringing  the  itores,  baggage,  &.c.  have  greatly  prolonged  their 
arrival  at  this  place.  s.?1* 

I  have  not  had  time,  fince  I  came,  to  look  fully  about  me  4 
but  find  many  works  of  defence  begun,  and  fome  finilhed.— « 
The  troops  are  much  difperied, — fome  on  Long-Ifland,  others 
on  Staten-Jiland,  ckc, 

I  have  ordered  four  battalions  from  hence  to  Canada,  and 
am  taking  meafures  to.  have  them  forwarded  to  Albany  by  wa-? 
ter  with  all  poflible  expedition.  This  will  greatly  expe- 
dite their  arrival,  and  eafe  the  men  of  much  fatigue.  I  have 
wrote  general  Schuyler  of  their  coming,  that  he  may  have 
neceflary  meafure-s  taken,  to  hurry  their  march  to  general  Tho+ 
mas. 

J  am  informed  by  general  Putnam  that  the  militia,  that  were 
called  in  for  the  fupport  of  this  town,  in  cafe  the  miniiterial 
army  had  arrived  before  our  troops;  are  all  difcharged,  it  being 
unnecessary  to  keep  them  longer. 

All  the  f hips  of  war,  belldes  the  Alia,  moved  out  of  this 
harbor  on  faturday,  and  the  Afia  yeiterday  5  fome  of  which  are 
now  below  the  Narrows,  and  the  reft  gone  to  fea.  . 

Your  favor  of  the  tenth  infiailt,  by  major  Sherburne,  direct- 
ed to  general  Putnam  or  the  commanding  officer  here,  came  to 
hand  on  faturday  evening,  with  three  boxes  of  money,  which  I 
fhall  deliver  the  paymafter  as  foon  as  he  arrives,  and  tranfmit 
you  his  receipt  for  the  fame. 

Having  received  information  from  hence  before  my  depar- 
ture from  Cambridge,  that  thirty  pieces  of  heavy  cannon  were 
wanting,  and  effentially  neceflary  for  the  defence  of  this  place, 
in  addition  to  thoi'e  already  here,— -I  took  the  liberty  of  apply- 
ing to  admiral  Hopkins,  whom  I  iaw  at  New-London,  for  that 
number,  with  the-mortars  and  itores  h«  brought  from  Proviu 
dence, — a  lift  of  which  he  had  transmitted  you.  He  told  ras, 
that,  us  many  were  wanting  for  the  defence  of  Providence'river 

and 


ica  GENERAL  WASHINGTON'S 

and  the  harbcr  at  Nexv-London,  it  was  uncertain  whether  I 
could  have  all  I  wanted  j  but  that  he  would  fend  me  all  that 
could  be  fpared. 

I  have  not  been  able  to  get  a  return  of  the  troops  fince  I 
earne  : — as  foon  as  1  do,  I  will  fend  it  you. 

I  am,  iir,  with  great  refpecl:,  &c.  G.  W. 


SIR,  New-Turk,  <dpril  18,   1776. 

PERMIT  me,  through  you,  to  convey  to  the  honorable 
Congrefs  the  fentiments  of  gratitude  I  feel  for  the  high  honor 
they  have  done  me  in  the  public  mark  of  approbation  contain- 
ed in  your  favor  of  the  fecond  inftant,  which  came  to  hand  laft 
night.  I  beg  you  to  affure  them  that  it  will  ever  be  my  high- 
eit  ambition  to  approve  myfelf  a  faithful  fervant  of  the  public  j 
and  that,  to  be  in  any  degree  inftrumental  in  procuring  to  my 
American  brethren  a  restitution  of  their  jufl  rights  and  privi- 
leges, will  conftitute  my  chief  happinefs. 

Agreeable  to  your  requeft,  I  have  communicated,  in  general 
orders,  to  the  officers  and  foldiers  under  my  command,  the 
thanks  of  Congrefs  for  their  good  behavior  in  the  fervice  ; 
and  am  happy  in  having  fuch  an  opportunity  of  doing  juflice  to 
their  merit.  They  were  indeed,  at  fir  ft,  "  a  band  of  nndifci* 
filmed  hujhandmen  :"  but  it  is  (under  God)  to  their  bravery 
and  attention  to  their  duty,  that  I  am  indebted  for  that  fuccefs, 
which  has  procured  me  the  only  reward  I  wiih  to  receive,— 
the  afieclion  and  efteem  of  my  countrymen. 

The  medal,  intended  to  be  prefented  to  me  by  your  honora- 
ble body,  I  (hall  carefully  prefer ve  as  a  memorial  of  their  re- 
gard. I  beg  leave  to  return  you,  fir,  my  warmeft  thanks  for 
the  polite  manner  in  which  you  have  been  pleafed  to  exprefs 
their  fentiments  of  my  conduct  \  and  am,  with  iincere  eiltem 
and  refpecl,  £r,  yours  and  their  moil  obedient  and  mofl  humble 
fervant.  G.  W. 


SIR,  New-Tort,  April  19,  1776. 

I  HAVE  this  moment  received  a  letter  from  general 
Schuyler,  containing  inciofures  of  a  very  important  nature,  co- 
pies of  which,  I  imagine,  are  contained  in  the  inclofed  letter  to 
you,  which  I  thought  it  my  duty  immediately  to  forward  by 
exprefs,  that  they  may  be  laid  before  the  honorable  Congrefs, 

and 


OFFICIAL- LETTE  R  S.  re^ 

and  proper  meafares  purfued  to  prevent  tlie  fatal  effecls  which 
are  therein  apprehended.  For  my  own  part,  I  have  done  my 
utmoft  to  forward  the  four  regiments  ordered  by  Congjtefs : 
but  a  variety  of  incidents  have  hitherto  confpired  to  prevent 
their  embarkation.  The  men  had  fcarcely  recovered  them- 
felves  from  the  fatigues  of  their  march  from  Bofton,  and  are 
quite  unprovided  with  neceffaries.  The  colonels  of  the  regi- 
ments, though  repeatedly  called  upon  for  that  purpofe,  had  ne- 
glected making  out  the  abftra&s  for  their  pay.  All  obftacles 
however,  are  now  removed  j  and  I  hope  to  begin  the  embarka- 
tion this  day.  Indeed  it  would  have  been  beft,  in  my  opinion, 
to  have  fent  the  regiments,  raifed  in  this  province  and  New- 
Jerfey,  upon  that  fervice,  had  not  the  peculiar  circumftanceg 
under  which  they  were  raifed  prevented  it.  By  the  terms  of 
their  enliitment,  they  are  to  ferve  during  the  war,  and  at  five 
dollars  per  month,  on  condition,  (as  I  am  informed)  that  they 
(hall  not  be  fent  out  of  thofe  provinces.  "Befides,  they  are  ve- 
ry ill  provided  with  arms,  fome  companies  not  having  any.  It 
muft  be  a  great  burden  upon  the  continent  to  keep  fuch  a  num- 
ber of  ufelefs  men  in  pay  :  and  yet,  if  they  ihould  be  difmifled, 
and  an  unexpected  iupply  of  arms  mould  arrive,  it  may  b& 
found  very  difficult  to  replace  them.  ,.  .- 

The  officers,  of  the  feveral  corps  that  have  arrived  here  have 
been  fo  bufily  employed  in  fixing  their  men  in  quarters,  that 
I  have  not  yet  been  able  to  procure  an  exacl  return  of  their 
numbers.  Some  are  yet  behind.  As  foon  as  the  whole  are 
collected,  I  ihall  order  the  proper  returns,  and  tranfmit  them' 
to  Congrefs. 

You  will  pleafe  to  notice  what  colonel  Hazen  fays  of  the 
difpofition  of  the  Indians.  In  my  opinion,  it  will  be  impoffi- 
ble  to  keep  them  in  a  Hate  of  neutrality.  They  muft,  and,  no 
j  doubt,  foon  will  take  an  active  part  either  for  or  againft  us  : 
and  1  fubmit  it  to  the  conlideration  of  Congrefs,  whether  it 
would  not  be  bell  immediately  to  engage  them  on  our  fide,  and 
to  ufe  our  utmoil  endeavors  to  prevent  their  minds  being  poi- 
foned  by  nainifterial  emiifaries,  which  will  ever  be  the  cafe 
while  a  king's  garrifon  is  fuffered  to  remain  in  their  country. 
Would  it  not  therefore  be  advifable  to  fend  a  fufficient  force 
from  the  back  counties  of  Pennfylvania,  to  take  poffcflion  of 
the  garrifons  of  Niagara  and  Detroit  ?  This,  I  think,  might 
eafily  be  effected,  and  would  anfwer  the  moft  falutary  purpofes. 
The  Seneca  Indians,  who  have  hitherto  appeared  friendly  to 
us,  might  be  ufefully  employed  in  this  bufinefs, 

I  am 


iC4  GENERAL  WASHINGTON'S 

I  am  in  hop-es  moft  of  the   difficulties  mentioned  in  colonel 
•  Hnzcn's  letter   will   be  obviated  by  the  appearance  of  the  re- 
'>l.e  -committee  of  Congrefs  in  Canada,  and  the  forces  that 
•jeen  and  will  be  fent  there.       The  lecurity  of  that  coun- 
try is  of  the  utmoit  importance  to  us.      This  cannot  be  done  fo 
effectually  by  conqueft,  as  by  taking  ftrong  hold  of  the  affecti- 
ons and  confidence  of  the  inhabitants.      It   is   to   be  lamented 
that  any  conduct  of  the  continental  troops  fhould  tend  to  alien- 
ate their  affections  from  us. 

,  The  honorable  Congrefs  will  be  able  to  judge  from  the  pa- 
pers fent  them  by  general  Sclmyler,  and  the  information  they 
may  receive  of  the  defigns  of  the  enemy,  whether  it  is  expedi- 
ent to  fend  a  further  reinforcement  to  Canada.  If  fuch  mould 
be  their  determination,  I  ft  and  ready  to  execute  their  orders  j 
and  am,  with  reflect,  fir,  your  moil  obedient,  humble  fervant, 

G.  W. 

.  Inclofed  is  a  return  of  the  four  regiments  ordered  to  Cans  • 
da  j  befides  which,  there  will  be  two  riile  companies,  a.  compa- 
ny of  artificers,  and  two  artillery-men,  all  under  the  comniand 
of  brigadier-general  Thompfon. 


SIR,  New-Tork,  April  22,    1776. 

I  WAS  this  day  honored  with  the  receipt  of  your  favor 
t>f  the  twentieth  inftant.  I  have  now  the  pleafure  to  acquaint 
you  that  the  four  regiments  defigned  for  Canada  embarked  yef- 
terday  with  a  fair  wind  for  Albany,  UHder  the  command  ot 
colonels  Grcaton,  Pattcrfon,  Bond,  and  Poor  }  belides  which, 
there  was  a  company  of  riflemen,  a  company  of  artificers,  and 
two  engineers, — -the  whole  commanded  by  brigadier-general 
Thompfon. 

I  hax-e  repeatedly  mentioned  to  the  honorable  Congrefs  the 
dlilrefsful  fituation  we  are  in  for  want  of  arms. — With  much 
pains  and  difficulty  I  got  moft.  of  the  regiments  from  the  eali 
ward  tolerably  well  furn:  ihcd.  :  but  find  the  York  regiments 
•yery  badly  provided.  Colonel  Rltzema's  has  fcarely  any  :  znj. 
yet  thefe  men,  being  enlifced  during  the  war/  and  at  five  dol- 
lars per  month,  ought  not  (in  my  judgment)  to  be  difcharovd  ; 
ss  \ve  find  it  alinoft  as  difficult  to  get  men,  as  arms.  This  is  u 
natter  of  fome  importance,  which  I  ihould  be  gtad  to  receive 
the  particular  opinion  of  Corigreis  upon. 

Mr.  Baldwin  .is  one  of  the  affiftant  engineers  ordered  to  Ca- 
nada.    He  is  indeed  a  very  ufeful  man  in  this  department,  but 

declined 


OFFICIAL     LETTERS,  105 

declined  the  fervice,  on  account  of  the  pay,  "which  he  fays  is 
inadequate  to  his  fupport.  In  order  to  induce  him  to  continue, 
I  promifed  to  reprefent  his  cafe  to  Coa-grefs  ,  and  would  re- 
commend an  increafe  of  his  pay,  and  that  he  Ihould  have  the 
tank  of  lieutenant-colonel,  of  which  he  is  very  deferving.  I 
beg  leave  therefore  to  recommend  him  to  Corigrefs,  and  that 
they  would  make  provifion  for  him  accordingly. 

A  few  days  ago,  application  was  made  to  me  by  the  commit* 
tee  of  fafety  for  this  colony,  for  an  exchange  of  prifoners. 
For  the  particulars  I  beg  leave  to  refer  you  to  their  letter,  a 
copy  of  which  you  have  inclofed.  As  there  is  a  Handing  or- 
der of  Congrefs  that  no  failors  or  foldiers  {hall  be  exchanged 
for  citizens,  I  did  not  incline  to  comply  with  the  requett  with- 
out the  particular  direction  of  Congrefs  :  but  I  have  been  fmce 
informed,  that  the  prifoners,  mentioned  in  the  committee's  let* 
ter  as  citizens,  are  really  feamen  taken  from  private  veffels,  but 
hot  in  arms.  How  far  this  may  alter  the  cafe,  or  how  far  the 
reafons  which  induced  the  Congrefs  to  pafs  the  refolve  above- 
mentioned  may  ftill  exift,  murt  be  left  to  their  determination. 

The  militia,  who,  on  my  application  were  ordered  to  this 
place  to  keep  pofleflion  until  I  mould  arrive  with  the  continen- 
tal forces,  were  obliged  to  return  home  without  their  pay^  as 
there  'was  not  then  money  fufficient  in  the  treafury  for  that 
purpofe,  and  to  anfwer  the  exigencies  of  the  army.  This  occa- 
iioned  great  uneaiinefs  among  them,  and  may  be  attended  with 
very  bad  confequences  in  cafe  we  (hould  have  occafion  for  theif 
fervice  on  any  future. emergency.  I  therefore  beg  the  ConI 
grefs  would  make"  provifion  for  their  paV,  and  point  out  parti- 
cularly, whether  it  is  to  be  dtirie  by  the  commander  o£  the 
continental  forces,  or  by  the  -provincial  aiTemblies  or  conven- 
tions from  whence  they  are  fent. 

As  the  time  for  which  the  riflemen  enlifted,  will  expire  on 
the  firft  of  July  next,  and  as  the  lofs  of  fuch  a  valuable  and 
brave  *body  of  men  will  be  of  great  injury  to  the  fervice,  I 
would  fubmit  it  to  the  confideration  of  Congrefaf,  whether  it 
would  not  be  beft  to  adopt  fome  method  to  induce  them  to 
continue.  They  are  indeed  a  very  ufefal  corps  :  but  I  need 
not  mention  this,  as  their  importance  is  already  well  known  to 
the  Congrefs.  It  is  neceffary  they  (hould  pay  an  early  atten- 
tion to  this  matter,  as  we  know  from  paft  experience,  that  men 
are  very  flow  in  re-enlifting. 

When  I  had  the  honor  of  feeing  admiral  Hopkins  at  N«w* 
London,  he  repiefcnted  tome  the  weak  rtate  of  his  fleet,  ccca- 
Soned  by  ficknefs  and  the  damage  he  received  in  'his1,  engage* 

O 


io6  GENERAL  WASHINGTON^ 

ment  with  the  enemy  j  and  requefted  I  would  fpare  him  two 
hundred  men  to  affift  him  in  a  defign  he  had  formed  of  attack- 
ing Wallace.  This  I  readily  confented  to;  and  the  men  ar^  to 
be  returned  as  foon  as  the  fervice  is  performed. 

I  wilh  it  was  in  my  power  at  prefent  to  furnifh  general  Lee 
with  the  companies  of  artillery  he  delires.— I  have  already  fent 
two  companies  to  Quebec  j  and  I  have  not  yet  been  able  to 
procure  a  return  of  thofe  that  are  here-  I  expect  colonel  KROX 
every  moment,  and  fhall  then  be  able  to  determine  whether 
any  can  be  fpared  from  hence.  Blankets  xve  are  in  great  want 
of,  ourfelves  ;  and  it  was  with  great  difficulty  a  few  could  be 
procured  for  the  riflemen  that  were  ordered  for  Canada. 

I  inclofe  you  Mr.  Winthrop's  receipt  for  two  hundred  thou- 
fand  dollars,  brought  fome  time  ago  from  Philadelphia  by  ma- 
jor Sherburne,  which  you  will  pleafe  to  deliver  to  the  conti- 
nental treafurers. 

On  my  arrival  here,  I  found  that  Mr.  Livingfton  had  been 
appointed  by  the  provincial  Congrefs,  a  commiffary,  to  furnidi 
the  continental  troops  ftationed   in  this  city,  with  provjfioji?, 
'I  fuppofe  thisL.was  done  becaufe  there  was  no  continental  coro- 
mifTary  then  on  the  fpot.     Mr.  Livingfton  ftill  claims  a  light  of 
fu^niihing  all  the   troops  but  thofe  lately  arrived  from  Cam- 
bridge.    Mr.  Trumbull  is  nowhere  :  and,  as  I  confider  him  as 
the  principal  in  that  office,  I  mould  be  glad  to  know  whether 
any  part   of  the   continental  troops  is  to  be  furnimed  by  any 
other  than  their  coramiffary-general.     I  muft  needs  fay,  that 
to  me  it  appears  very  inconfiftent,  -and  muft  create  great  confu- 
fion  in  the  accounts  as  well  as  in  the  contracts: — I   intended  to 
have  laid  before  Congrefs  the  amount  of  the  rations,  as  fupplied 
by   colonel   Trumbull   and  Pvlr.    Livingfton  •,    and  called  upon 
thofe  gentlemen  to  furniih  me  with  a  feparate  eilimate  for  that 
purpoie.     Colonel  Trumbull  has  given  me  his,  by  which  it  ap- 
pears he  fupplies  the  troops  at  eight  pence  and  one-third  per 
ration.     I  have  not  yet  received  any  from  Mr.  Livingfton 5  but 
am  informed  his  contract  is  at  ten  pence  half-penny.     The  dif- 
ference is  immenfe,  as  it  will  amount  to  no  lefs  than  two  hun-, 
dred  pounds  per  day,  for  twenty   thoufand  men.      It  is  indeed 
to  be   coniidered   that    Mr.  Livingfton's  contract  is,  including 
every  other  charge  '7  and  that  to  Mr.  Trumbull's  muft  be  added 
jftore-.ture,  clerk?,  and  every  other   contingent   expenfe.     But 
ever*  then  it  will  not  amount  to  fo  much  as  Mr.  LivingflonV;, 
by  a  penny  per  ration,  which,  in  the  grofs,  will  be   fomething 
yery  confiderable.     1  thought  it  my  duty,  without  prejudice  or 
partiality,    to   ftate   the  matter  fairly  to   Congrefs,  that   they 

might 


CKF  F  I  C  I  A  L    LETTERS.  107 

take  fuch  order  upon  it  as  to.  them  (hall  feem  neccffary. 
I  cannot,  however,  in  juftice  to  Mr.  Trumbull,  help  adding 
that  he  has  been  indefatigable  in  fupplying  t^~  army  j  and  I  be- 
lieve, from  his  connexions  in  New- England,  .s  able  to  do  it  on 
*s  good  terms  as  any  perfon  in  America. 

The  feveral  matters  contained  in  the  foregoing,  I  muft  beg 
-the,  early  attention  of  Congrefs  toj  arid  that  I  may  be  favored 
with  an  anfwer  as  ibon  as  poflible. 
.  •:••!  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c.  G.  W. 


••• 


,  1776- 

:  fn  v,  IN  a  letter  which  I  had  the  honor  to  receive  from  Con- 
grefs fome  confiderable  time  ago,  they  were  pleafed  to  alk  what 
rank  aids-de  camp  bore  in  the  army  ?  from  whence  .1  conclud- 
ed that  they  had  adverted  to  the  extraordinary  trouble  and  con> 
finement  of  thofe  gentlemen,  with  a  view  to  make  them  an  ade- 
quate allowance.  But  nothing  being  fince  done  or  faid  of  the 
matter,  I  take  the  liberty,  —  unfolicited  by,  and  unknown  to  my 
aids-de-camp,  —  to  inform  your  honorable  body  that  their  pay  is 
not  by  any  means  equal  to  their  trouble  and  confinement. 

No  perfon  wiihes  more  to  fave  money  to  the  public,  than  I 
4o  :  and  no  perfon  has  aimed  more  at  it.  But  there  are  fome 
cafes  in  which  parfimony  may  be  ill  placed  j  and  this  I  take  to 
$>e  one.  Aids-de-camp  are  perfons  in  whom  entire  confidence 
muft  be  placed  :  it  requires  men  of  abilities  to  execute  the  du- 
ties with  propriety  and  difpatch,  where  there  is  fuch  a  multi- 
plicity of  buiinels,  as  muft  attend  the  commander-m-chief  of 
iuch  an  army  as  ours  :  and  perfuaded  1  am,  that  nothing  but  the 
zeal  of  thofe  gentlemen  (who  live  with  me,  and  act  in  this  -ca-, 
pacity);  for  the  great  American  caufe,  —  and  perfonal  attach- 
ment to  me,  —  has  induced  them  to  undergo  the  trouble  and 
confinement  they  have  experienced  fince  they  have  become 
members  of  my  ianiily. 

I  give  into  no  kind  of  amufements  myfelf  ;  and  confequently 
thofe  about  me  can  have  none,  but  are  confined  from  morning' 
till  eve,  hearing  and  anfwering  the  applications  and  letters  of 
one  and  another,  which  will  now,  I  expect,  receive  a  pretty 
confiderable  addition,  as  the  bufinefs  of  the  northern  and  eaft- 
ern  departments  (if  I  continue  here)  muft,  I  fuppofe,  pafs 
through  my  hands.  If  thefe  gentlemen  had  the  fame  relaxation 
from  duty  as  other  officers  have  in  their  common  routine,  there 
•would  not  be  fo  much  in  it.  But,  to  have  the  mind  always  up- 

on 


is8  GENERAL  WASHINGTON'S 

on  the  ftref.ch, — -fcarce  ever  unbent. — and  no  hours  for'recreaj 
tion, — makes  a  material  odds.  Knowing  this,  and  at  the  farce 
time  how  inadequate  the  pay  is,  I  can  fcarce  find  inclination  to 
ampofe  the  neceiTary  duties  of  their  office  upon  them.  To  what 
I  have  here  faid,  this  further  remark  may  be  made,  and  h  a. 
matter  of  no  fmall  concernment  to  me,  and,  in  its  confequerces, 
to  the  public; — and  that  is,  that,  while  the  duty  is  hard  and 
the  pay  fmall,  it  is  not  to  be  wondered  at,  if  there  ihould  ba 
found  a  promptnefs  in  them  to  feek  preferment,  or  in  me  to  do 
juftice  to  them  by  facilitating  their  views;  by  which  means  I 
roufl  lofe  their  aid  when  they  have  it  moft  in  their  power  to  af- 
fift  me. — Influenced  by  theie  motives,  I  have  taken  the  liberty 
of  laying  the  matter  fully,  and  with  all  due  deference,  before 
your  honorable  body,  not  doubting  its  meeting  with  a  patient 
"hearing. 

I  am,  fir,  with  the  greater!  r£fpe£,  Sec.  G.  W, 


SIR,  .  NeyjtrTorl,  J$prl!  23,   1770. 

THAT  I  might  be  in  readiriefs  to  take  the  field  in  the 
fpring,  and  prepared  for  any  fervice  .Ccngrefs  mould  think  proper 
to  fend  me  upon,  this  campaign, — I  defired  colonel  Reed,  when 
he  left  Cambridge  in  the  fall,  to  get  me  a  fet  of  campt  equi- 
page, tents,  and  baggage -waggons,  made  at  Philadelphia  undep 
his  own  infpeclion,  and  fent  to  me.  This,  he  iniorms-me,  is 
now  done,  and  ready  to  come  on.  I  have  therefore  to  beg  the 
favor  of  Congrefs,  through  you,  to  order  payment  of  them  frdrtt 
the  treafury,  as  it  will  fave  the  expenfe  and  hazard  of  a  remit- 
tance from  hence,  where  we  Hand  much  in  need  of  every  far- 
thing we  have. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c.  G.  W, 


SJP.,  fiew-Tort,  April '  2j*,    I//6, 

I  Received  by  laft  evening's  pofl  a  letter  from  Jodiua 
Wentworth,  efquire,  of  Portfmouth,  ivhom  I  had  appointed 
agent  for  our  little  fleet  in  that  province.  It  is,  dated  the  fif- 
teenth inftant  \  an  extra-<S  from  yyhich  J  have  the  honor  of  tran- 
fcribing  for  your  perufal. 

'**  The  third  inilant,  commodore  Manly  brought  in  the  bri- 
frantifce  Elizabeth,  one  of  the  third  divifion  w^hich  failed  from 
NanUfket,  with  a  valuable  cargo  of  Englidi  goods,  and  a  few 

hogiheadi 


0  j  F  1 C  I  A  L  JL  £  T  T  E  g.  S.  103 

of  sum  and,  fugar,  by  a  Mr.  J  *  *  *,  ~wrka  was  \ 
paffenger,  part  freighter,  and  a  very  tory.     Suppofe  the  cargo 
worth  twenty  thoufand  pounds  fleiiing.     Thofe  goods  are,   the 
greatelt  part,  owned' by  the  inhabitants  of  JBofton,  and  by  fome 
that  were  inhabitants  when  the  troops  left  it, — the  refidue  by 
this  Mr.  J  *  *  *,  and  ethers  of  the  fame  call.     The  complicate 
ftate  of  this  prize  required  my  immediate  fetting  off  for  Bofton, 
expecting  I  might   find  fome   directions   for   rny  government 
there  5    when  I   waited  on  general  Ward,    who  was  obliging- 
enough  to  give  me  his  opinion  (but  not  able  to  direct,  having 
received  no  inftruclions  to  the  point)  that  the  ve&el  and  cargo 
muft   be  libelled,  r.nd  a  dividend  to  the  captors  would  follow, 
of  all  fuch  goods  as  might  be  legally  claimed  by  .the  friends  to 
America  j  and  thofe  that  were  the  property   of  them  inimical, 
might  be  decreed  forfeited.     Upon  further  inquiry,  I  was  in-r 
formed  a  refolve  paffed  in  Congrefs  that  ail  veffels  and  goods, 
retaken  previous  to  a  condemnation  by  a  Britifn  court  of  Ad- 
miralty, were  liable  to  a  partial  decree  (by  every  colony  judge) 
to   the  captors,—- not  more   than  one-third,  nor  lefs  than  one- 
fourth.     The  prefent   prize  falls  under  this  refolve  :  and  any 
other,  that  [makes  the~\  property  of  our  internal  enemies  liable 
to  a  full  confiscation,  may  be  neceflary   for   my  government  : 
therefore  mall  be  much  obliged  by  your  full  direction  of  this 
capture,  and  a  copy  of  the  continental  refolves  thereon.     This 
trigantine  is  owned  by  a  Mr.  Richard  Hart  of  this  town,  taken 
on  her  return  from  the  Weil-Indies  la'ft   October,    and   carried 
into  Bofton,  not  condemned.     The  rum  on  board  are  feventeen- 
hogmeads, — and  four  of  fugar,  not  removed  out  of  her  from 
the  time  of  capture.     The  other  cargo  was  in  general  ftolen  by 
virtue  of  general  Howe's  proclamation  (which  undoubtedly  you 
have  feen)  appointing  one  C***B***  fuperintendant, 
who,  by  the  way,  was  taken  in  the  prize,  and  is  now  confined 
in  the   Maffachufetts    colony,    with  Mr.  J  *  *  *    and  fundry 
others,  by  order  of  the  general  court,  to  whom  general  Ward 
delivered  them. 

'  There  were  a  ferjeant  and  twelve  privates  of  the  fourth, 
or  king's  own  regiment,  taken  prifoners  on  board,  with  the  o- 
thers,  making  fixty-three  fouls.  *  *  * 

There  appeared  from  the  pillage  of  this  cargo  by  many  of 
the  paffengers,  the  property  was  in  him  who  could  fecret  the 
moft.  For  when  examining  the  chefts  and  bedding  of  the  pri- 
foners, I  found  great  quantity  of  goods  that  they  had  collecled 
while  on  board,  which  were  taken  out  of  warehoufes  without 
jacking,  and  hove  prornifcuoufly  oa  board  the  veffel.  Even 

the 


lie  GENERAL  WASHINGTON1* 

the  failors  had  provided  for  their  difpofal  at  pleafure.  In  fatr, 
the  dertruftion  of  property  under  cover  of  general  Howe's  pro- 
clamation, is  unparalelled.  *  *  * 

"  i  ana  now  difcharging  the  cargo,  as  it  is  in  a  perimlng  ii~ 
filiation;  and,  when  felefted,  and  the  regular  courfe  purfued 
through  the  admiralty,  mall  advertife  agreeable  to  his  excel- 
lency's inftiu6tions  to  general  Ward,  who  was  obliging  enough 
to  give  me  an  abftracT:. 

"  The  general  court  of  this  province,  finding  a  difficulty  la 
making  a  code  of  laws  for  the  admiralty  court,  did  not  com- 
plete that  inftitution  their  laft  fefrion,  when  they  adjourned  to 
June  ;  which  lapfe  of  time  will  not  admit  my  facilitating  the 
difpofal  of  the  prizes  under  my  care,  fo  early  as  I  could  wilh, 
for  the  fafety  of  part  of  the  interereit  of  the  Sufanna's  cargo, 
viz.  the  porter,  which  I  fear  may  be  fpoiled  by  lying  fo  long,— 
it  not  having  equal  body  to  that  commonly  imported  for  lale  ; 
• — which  induces  me  to  deiire  your  direction  for  a  difpofal  of 
that  article  either  at  private  or  public  fale." 

That,  fir,  is  an  exact  copy  of  part  of  Mr.  Wentworth's  letter 
to  Mrv  Moylan.  I  now  requeft  you  will  pleafe  to  direct  me, 
in  what  manner  I  (hall  inftrucl  the  agent  refpedting  the  complin 
cated  cargo,  and  whether  he  may  be  empowered  to  difpofe  of 
the  porter  or  any  other  articles  on  board  the  prizes  under  his 
care,  which  the  delay  of  eilabliihing  the  court  of  admiralty  may 
make  liable  to  periih. 

I  have  not  yet  heard  that  there  has  been  any  trial  of  the  pri- 
zes carried  into  Maffachufetts-Bay.  This  procrastination  is  at- 
tended with  very  bad  confequences.  Some  of  the  veffels  I  had 
fitted  out  are  now  laid  up,  the  crews  being  diifatisfied  that  they 
cannot  get  their  prize-money.  I  have  tired  the  Congrefs  upon 
this  fubject :  but  the  importance  of  it  makes  me  again  mention, 
that,  if  a  furamary  way  of  proceeding  is  not  rcfolved  on,  it  will 
be  impoilible  to  get  our  veifels  manned.  I  mull  alfo  me.ntiou 
to  you,  iir,  that  captain  Manly  and  his  crew  are  defirpus  to 
know  when  they  may  expecl  their  part  of  the  value  of  the  ord- 
nance (tores  taken  lalt  fall.  They  are  anxious  to  know  what 
the  amount  may  be.  As  the  inventory  of  that  cargo  is  in  the 
hands  of  Congrefs,  I  would  humbly  fubmit  it  to  them,  whether  a 
valuation  thereof  mould  not  be  made,  and  the  captors'  dividend 
be  remitted  them  as  foon  as  poflible.  It  will  give  them  fpirit, 
and  encourage  them  to  be  alert  in  looking  out  for  other  prizes. 

Several  officers  belonging  to  the  regiments  raifed  in  thefe 
middle  colonies  inform  me  that  their  men  (notwithitanding  their 
agreement)  begin  to  murmur  at  the  diilindliou  of  pay  made  be- 

tweea 


OFFICIAL     LETTERS.  jfn 

tween  them  and  the  regiments  from  the  eaftward.  I  would  be 
glad  that  the  Congrefs  would  attend  to  this  in  time,  left  it  may 
get  to  fuch  a  pitch  as  will  be  difficult  to  fupprefs.  They  argue 
that  they  perform  the  fame  duty,  un'deigo  the  fame  fatigue,  and 
receive  five  dollars,  when  the  eaftern  regiments  receive  fix  dol- 
lars and  two-thirds  per  month.  For  my  own  part,  I  wi(h  they 
were  all  upon  the  fame  footing  :  for,  if  the  Britiili  army  will 
not  face  this  way,  it  will  be  neceffary  to  detach  a  great  part  of 
our  troops :  in  that  cafe,  I  would,  for  many  reafons,  be  forry 
there  ihould  be  any  diftinftions  of  regiments  that  are  all  in  the 
pay  of  the  United  Colonies. 

The  deficiency  of  arms  (in  the  New-York  regiments  efpeci- 
ally)  is  very  great.  If  I  am  rightly  informed,  there  are  fcarce 
as  many  in  colonel  Ritzema's  regiment  as  will  arm  one  compa- 
try.— Can  tht  Congrefs  remedy  this  evil  ?  If  they  can,  there 
ihould  not  a  moment  be  loft  in  effecting  it,  as  our  ftrength 
at  prefent  is,  in  reality,  on  paper  only.  Should  we  think  of  dif- 
charging  thofe  men  who  are  without  arms,  the  remedy  would 
be  worfe  than  the  difeafe  :  for,  by  vigorous  exertions,  I  hope 
srms  may  be  procured ;  and  I  well  know  that  the  railing  men 
fs  exceeding  difficult,  efpecially  to  be  engaged  during  the  con- 
tinuance of  the  war,  which  is  the  footing  on  which  colonel 
Ritzema's  regiment  is  engaged. 

slpril  26.  - I  had  wrote  thus  far  before  I   was  honored. 

with  your  favor  of  the  twenty-third  inflant.  In  obedience  to> 
the  order  therein  contained,  I  have  directed  fix  regiments  more 
for  Canada,  which  will  embark  as  foon  as  VeiTels  and  other  ne- 
celTaries  can  be  provided.  Thefe  regiments  will  be  command- 
ed by  general'  Sullivan.  I  mall  give  him  initruclions  to  join 
the  forces  in  that  country  under  general  Thomas,  as  foon  as 
poflible. 

With  refpect  to  fending  more  troops  to  that  country,  I  am 
teally  at  a  lofs  what  to  advife,  as  it  is  impoiiible  at  prefent  to 
know  the  defigns  of  the  enemy.  Should  they  fend  the  whole 
force  under  general  Howe  up  the  river  St.  Laurence  to  relieve 
Qjuebec  and  recover  Canada,  the  troops  gone  and  novr  o-oing 
will  be  inefficient  to  flop  their  progrefs :  and  mould  they  think 
proper  to  fend  that  or  an  equal  force  this  ivay  from  Great  Bri- 
tain for  the  purpofe  of  poiTefling  this  city  and  fecuring  the  na. 
Vigation  of  Hudfon's  river,  the  troops  left  here  will  not  be  fuf- 
£cient  to  oppofe  them :  and  yet,  for  any  thing  we  know,  I  think 
it  not  improbable  they  may  attempt  both, — both  being  of  the 
greatefl  importance  to  them, — if  they  have  men. 

I,  could  wifli  indeed  that  the  army  in  Canada  ihould  be  mere 

powerfully 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON** 

powerfully  reinforced  :  at  the  fame  time  I  am  ccmfcious  that 
the  trufting  this  important  poft  (which  is  now  become  the  grand 
magazine  of  America)  to  the  handful  of  men  remaining  here,  'n 
Tunning  two  great  a  n'lk.  The  fecuring  this  poft  and  Hudfon's 
river  is  to  us  alfo  of  fo  great  importance,  that  I  cannot  at  pre- 
icnt  advife  the  fending  any  more  troops  from  hence  : — on  the 
contrary,  the  general  officers  now  Here,  whom  I  thought  it  my 
duty  to  confult,  think  it  abfolutely  nec-eilary  to  increafe  the  ar- 
my at  this  place  with  at  leaft  ten  thoufaud  men,  efpecially  when 
it  is  confidered,  that,  from  this  place  only,  the  army  in  Canada 
mult,  draw  its  fupplies  of  ammunition,  provisions,  and,  moft  pro- 
bably, of  men  ;  and  that  all  reinforcements  can  be  fent  from 
hence  much  eaiier  than  from  any  ether  place.  By  the  inclofed 
return,  you  will  fee  the  ftat'e  of  the  army  here,  and  that  the 
number  of  efife&ive  men  is  far  (hort  of  what  the  Congrefs  muft 
have  expected. 

I  have  found  it  neceffary  to  order  colonel  Dayton's  regiment 
from  New-Jerfey,  to  march  as  one  of  the  fix  to  Canada  :  where- 
fore I  mull  recommend  it  to  Congrefs  to  order  two  companies 
of  one  of  the  regiments  ftill  in  Pennfylvania  to  march  to  Cape- 
May,  which  can  be  done  much  fooner  :  for,  had  this  deftinatiort 
ef  that  regiment  not  taken  place,  it  would  have  been  very  in- 
convenient to  have  detached  two  companies  from  it  to  that 
place  •,  as  the  march  would  (according  to  lord  Stirling's  and  o- 
ther  accounts)  have  been  at  leail  two  hundred  miles  from  Ara- 
boy,  and  they  muft  have  paffed  within  twenty  miles  of  Phi- 
ladelphia, there  being  no  practicable  road  along  the  fea-coafc  of 
New-Jerfey  for  their  baggage  to  have  paffed. 

Dr.  Potts,  who  is  bearer  hereof,  was,  I  underftand,  appoint- 
ed diretlor  of  the  hofpital  for  thefe  middle  colonies  :  but  the 
army  being  removed,  with  the  general  hofpital,  from  the  eart- 
ward,  does  in  courfe  fupercede  him.  He  is  inclined  to  go  to 
Canada,  where  he  may  be  veryufeful,  if  a  nerfon  is  not  already 
appointed  for  that  department. — I  would  humbly  beg  leavs  to 
aik  the  Congrefs  whether,  in  all  the  appointments,  it  would  not 
be  beft  to  have  but  one  chief,  to  whom  all  the  others  ihould  be 
iubordinate. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &e.  G.  W. 


SIR,  New-Tort,  dpril  30, 

I  P\IE  IN,  -tliroiigTi  you,  to  do  myfs:f  the  honor  of  1 
before  Coagreis  a  copy   of  .as   addrcfs  tiaufiuitted  them  feme 

tuat 


OFFICIAL    LETTER'S. 


113 


txmc  ago  by  the  alfembly  of  Rhode-IlJand,  which  governor 
Cooke  favored  me  with  in  the  month  of  January,  at  the  faaie 
time  requefting  me  to  interefl  myfelf  in  procuringa  body  of  for- 
ces on  the  continental  eftablifhment,  for  the  defence  of  that 
colony.  I  doubt  not  but  the  addrefs  and  the  fubject  of  it  have 
had  the  attention  and  consideration  of  Congrefs  before  now. 
But  if  they  have  not  decided  upon  the  matter,  I  would  beg 
leave  to  mention  that  I  have  made  inquiry  into  the  fituatiort 
and  condition  of  the  colony,  and  find  it  to  be  as  ilated  in  the 
addrefs  ;  and,  with  all  deference  to  the  opinion  of  Congrefs, 
conceive  it  highly  neceffary  and  expedient  that  they  fhould  adopt 
forae  meafures  for  relieving  their  diftrefs,  and  granting  the  aid 
prayed  for.  The  importance  of  it  in  the  chain  of  the  union,— 
its  extenfive  fea-coait,  affording  harbors  for  our  {hipping  and 
x-efiels,  at  the  fame  time  expofing  and  fubje&ing  the  inhabitants, 
to  the  ravages  and  depredations  of  our  enemies,— the  zeal  and 
attachment  which  it  has  (hewn,  and  which  ft  ill  actuates  it,  to- 
wards the  common  caufe, — their  incapacity  to  pay  a  fufficient 
number  of  men  for  its  defence,  fhould  they  be  able  to  furriiili 
them  after  fo  many  engaged  in  other  fervices  j— thefe,  and  ma- 
ny other  rcafons  which  are  too  obvious  to  be  mentioned,  plead 
powerfully  for  the  notice  and  attention  of  Congrefs,  and  feeru 
to  me  to  claim  their  fupport. 

Having  thus  ftated  the  matter  to  Congrefs  for  their  confider- 
ation,  agreeable  to  my  prornife  to  governor  Cooke  when  I  had 
the  honor  of  feeing  him  on  my  way  here, — I  (hall  leave  it  with 
them,  not  doubting  but  they  will  duly  w.eigh  its  importance, 
and  give  fuch  aUiftance  as  they  may  think  reafonable  and  jutiL 
-—What  they  chiefly  wiih  for  is  that  the  troops  they  have  raifed 
may  be  taken  into  continental  pay,  and  commanding  officer?, 
appointed  by  Congrefs. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &:c.  G.  W. 


SIR,  New-York,  May  5,   1776". 

I  AM  honored  with  your  favor  of  the  thirtieth  ultimo, 
and  ooferve  what  Congrefs  have  done  refpecling  the  fettlement 
of  the;  pavmailer's  accounts.  This  feems  expedient,  as  lie  'Is 
out  OL  o^ce,  and,  I  am  certain,  will  be  attended  with  but  little 
if  any  difficulty  j  nothing  more  being  neceffary,  than  to  com- 
pare the  warrants  with  his  debits,  and  the  receipts  he  has  giyeri, 
•with  his  credits.  I  with  every  other  'fettlemsnt  as  eafy,  and 
that  a  cona::nittee  was  appointed  to  examine  and  audit  the  zc- 

?  counts 


1 14  GENERAL  WASHINGTON'S. 

counts  upon  which  the  warrants  are  founded,  particularly  t-liofe 
of  the  quarter-mafter  and  commiffary-generars.  They  are  long 
and  of  high  amount,  confiding  of  a  variety  of  charges, — of  courfe 
more  intricate, — and  will  require  time  and  an  extraordinary  de- 
gree of  attention  to  adjuft  and  liquidate  in  a  proper  manner. — 
Upon  this  fubjeft,  I  did  myfelf  the  honor  to  write  you  a  confi- 
de rable  time  ago. 

Having  had  feveral  complaints  from  the  officers  in  the  eaM> 
em  regiments,  who  have  been,  and  are  engaged  in  recruiting, 
about  the  expenfe  attending  it,  and  for  which  they  have  never 
yet  been  allowed  any  "thing,  though  the  officers  in  thefe  go- 
vernments have,  as  I  am  informed. — I  (hall  be  glad  to  know 
Hvhether  the  allowance  of  ten  millings,  granted  to  the  officers 
for  every  man  enlifted,  by  the  refolve  of  Congrefs  in  [_January~]9 
is  general  and  indifcriminate,  or  confined  to  the  middle  diftricls. 
If  general,  muft  I  have  retrofpecl  to  the  time  of  the  refolve, 
and  pay  for  the  fervices  fmce,  or  only  for  future  enliftments  ? 

In  a  letter  I  wrote  to  Congrefs  the  twenty-fifth  of  Decem- 
ber, 1  inclofed  one  I  had  received  from  Jacob  Bailey,  efquire, 
about  opening  a  road  from  Newbury  to  Canada.  I  have  re- 
ceived another  of  the  fifteenth  ultimo:  and,  from  his  account 
and  the  intelligence  I  have  from  others  upon  inquiry,  I  have 
no  doubt  of  the  practicability  of  the  meafure  ;  and  am  well  in- 
formed that  the  diftance  will  be  confiderably  fhortened,  info- 
much  that  our  people  going  from  any  part  of  the  NeT.v-£ngland 
governments  ealtward  of  Connecticut-liver,  to  Canada,  or  re- 
turning  from  thence  home,  will  perform  their  march  in  five  or 
fix  days  lefs  time  than  by  coming  or  going  any  way  now  ufed. 
Add  to  this,  that  the  road  may  be  fo  conducted  (as  it  is  laid) 
as  to  go  to  the  river  Miflifque,  from  whence  the  water  carriage 
to  St.  John's  is  good,  except  forty  odd  miles, — or  be  carried  fo 
far  to  the  northward  as  to  keep  clear  of  the  lakes  altogether, 
and  afford  an  eafy  pafs  into  Canada  at  all  ieafons.  The  advan- 
tage refulting  from  this  route  being  fo  great  and  important,  I 
have  advanced  colonel  Bailey  two  hundred  and  fifty  pounds  to 
begin  with,  and  directed  him  to  execute  his  plan.  No  doubt 
it  will  require  a  confiderable  advance  to  accoaiplilh  it  :  but  that 
will  be  foon  funk.  The  expenfe  faved  by  taking  off  .fix  days' 
pay  and  provifions  from  the  foldiers  returning  to  the  eailein  go- 
vernments at  the  expiration  of  this  campaign,  will  be  almoft  if 
not  more  than  equal  to  the  charge  incurred  in  opening  it.  If 
not, — as  in  all  probability  there  will  be  often  a  ^ecerTity  for 
fending  detachments  ef  our  troops  to  Canada  from  thofe  go- 
vernments, and  for  others  to  return,  it  will  fooa  be  repaid. 

By 


OFFICIAL     LETTERS/  115 

,  By  a  letter  from  general  Schuyler,  of  the  twenty-feventh 
ultimo,  I  find  general  Thompfon  and  his  brigade  were  at  Alba* 
iiy  j— ^general  Sullivan  with  the  laft  (except  three  or  four  com- 
panies of  colonel  Wayne's  regiment,  not  yet  come)  is  embarked 
and  gone,  and  probably  will  be  foon  there.  I  amapprehenfive, 
from  general  Schuyler's  account,  that  they  will  not  proceed 
with  the  wimed-for  expedition,  owing  to  a  difficuly  in  getting 
teams  and  provender  for  cattle,  neceffary  to  carry  their  bag" 
gage,  and  a  fcarcity  of  batteaux  at  the  lakes  for  fo  large  a 
number,  though  he  is  taking  the  utmoft  pains  to  procure  them* 
Should  they  be  Hopped  for  any  time,  it  will  be  exceedingly  un- 
fortunate, as  their  going  from  hence  has  weakened  vs-  here 
much,  and  our  army.in  Canada  will  not  be  ftrengtheined. 

I  have  fent  with  the  laft  brigade  fixty  barrels  of  powder,  and 
other  ftores  and  intrenching  tools,  a  fupply  being  aiked  for  j 
alio  the  chain  for  a  boom  at  the  narrows  of  Richelieu,  and  the 
three  boxes  of  money  brought  by  Mr.  Hanfon  ;  and  have  wrote 
to  Mr.  Schuyler  to  have  the  boom  fixed  as  foon  as  polfible. — * 
The  commiiTary  too  has  forwarded  about  eight  hundred  barrels 
of  pork,  ami  is  in  expectation  of  a  further  quantity  from  Con- 
xie&icut,  which  will  go  on  without  flopping  here. 

As  the  magazine  from  whence  the  northern  and  eaftern  arr 
mies  will  occafionally  receive  fupplies  of  powder  will  probably 
be  here,  and  our  ftock  is  low  and  inconfiderable,  being  much 
reduced  by  the  fixty  barrels  fent  to  Canada,  I  mall  be  glad  t* 
have  a  quantity  immediately  forwarded.  Our  ftores  mould  be 
great :  for  if  the  enemy  make  an  attack  upon  the  town,  or  at- 
tempt to  go  up  North-river,  the  expenditure  will  be  very  con^ 
iiderable.  Money  too  is  much  wanted: — the  regiments  that 
are  paid  have  only  received  to  the  firft  of  April,  except  thofe 
of  Pennfylvania and  Jerfey  which  are  gone  to  Canada:  they  are 
paid  to  the  laft  of  April.  By  a  letter  from  general  Ward,  I 
find  his  cheft  is  juft  exhaufted  j  the  money  which  was  left  with' 
him  for  the  payment  of  the  five  regiments  at  Bofton  and  Bever- 
ly, being  almoft  expended  by  large  draughts  in  favor  of  the 
comnuiTary  and  .quarter-mafter,  and  in  fitting  out  the  armed 
veiTels. 

I  would  here  afk  a  queftion,  to  wit,  whether,  as  Mr.  War- 
ren's comraiilion  is  fuperceded  by  Mr.  Palfrey's  appointment, 
it  will  not  be  neceffary  to  fix  upon  fome  perfon  to  pay  the  troops 
there  :  or  are  the  payments  to  go  through  his  hands  ? — He  does 
not  incline  -to  do  any  thing  in  the  affair  without  the  diredioa 
of  Congrefs. 

I  have  inclofed  you  a  return  of  tht  laft  brigade  detached,  and 

alia 


316  GENERAL  WASHINGTON'S 

alfo  of  the  forces  remaining  here.  And  as  it  is  a  matter  of 
much  importance  to  know  the  whole  of  our  flrcngtli  fiom  time 
to  time,  and  to  fee  it  at  one  view,  for  regulating  cur  move- 
raents  with  propriety,  I  wiih  it  were  a  direction  from  Congrefs 
to  the  commanding  officers  in  the  different  diihicls  to  make 
monthly  returns  to  the  commander-in-chief  of  the  continental 
army,  and  01  the  -ftate  of  the  troops  in  their  departments,  and 
alfo  of  the  military  fiores.  Such  direction  will  probably  make 
them,  more  attentive  than  they  otherwife  would,  be. — I  could 
uot  get  a  return  of  the  army  in  Canada  all  laft  year. 

I  beg  leave  to  lay  before  Congrefs  a  copy  of  the  proceedings 
of  a  court-martial  upon  lieutenant  *  *  *  *  of  the  fecond  regi- 
ment, and  of  his  defence, — which  I  fhould  not  have  troubled 
them  with,  had  I  not  conceived  the  court's  fentence,  upon  the 
faciis  ftated  in  the  proceedings,  of  a  fingular  nature,  to  be  by  no 
means  adequate  to  the  enormity  of  his  offence,  and  to  be  of  ex- 
ceeding dangerous  and  pernicious  tendency.  Upon  thefe  prin- 
ciples I  thought  it  my  duty  to  tranfmit  the  proceedings  to  them, 
5n  order  that  they  may  form  fuch  a  judgment  upon  the  facls 
fcated,  as  they  may  conceive  right  and  -juii,  and  advancive  of 
the  public  good. — -At  the  fame  time  I  would  mention  to  Con« 
grefs  that  I  think  it  of  material  confequence  that  they  ihould 
yafs  a  refolve,  cutting  of?  the  right  of  fucceffion  in  the  •military- 
line  from  one  rank  to  another,  which  is  claimed  by  many  upon 
the  happening  of  vacancies, — >~(upon  which  principle  this  offence 
feems  to  have  originated  in  a  great  meafure,  and  the  extraor- 
dinary judgment  in  this  inirance  to  be  founded) — declaring  that 
310  fucceffion  or  promotion  can  take  place  upon  any  vacancy, 
•without  a  continental  commiffion  giving  and  authoriiing  it.  It 
5s  of  much  confequence  to  check  and  entirely  fupprefs  this  opi- 
nion  and  claim,  which  is  becoming  too  prevalent,  and  has  an 
obvious  tendency  to  introduce  mutiny  and  difordcr  ;-- -or,  if 
they  conceive  the  claim  good,  and  that  it  mould  take  place, 
that  they  will  declare  it  fo,  that  the  pcint  may  be  fettled  and 
known  in  future. 

J  have  the  honor  to  be,  Sec,  G.  W. 


SIR,  New-York,  May  5,   1776. 

1  HAVE  fo  often  and  fo  fully  communicated  my  want  of 
arms  to  Congrefs,  that  I  ihould  not  have  given  them  the  trou- 
ble of  receiving  another  letter  upon  this  fubjeft  at  this  time, 
put  for  the  particular  application  of  colonel  Wayne  cf  Pennjyl- 

• 


• 

OFFICIAL    LETTERS.  117 

tania,  who  lias  pointed  out  a  method  by  which  he  thinks  they 
may  be  obtained. 

t  In  the  hands  of  the  committee  of  fafety  at  Philadelphia, 
there  are,  according  to  colonel  Wayne's  account,  not  lefs  than 
two  or  three  thoufand  fland  of  arms  for  provincial  ufe.  From 
hence  he  thinks  a  number  might  be  borrowed  by  Congrefs,  pro- 
vided they  are  replav^d  with  continental  arms  as  they  are 
brought  into  the  magazine  in  that  city.  At  a  crifis  io  impor- 
tant as  this,  fuch  a  loan  might  be  attended  with  the  moil  fignal 
advantages, — while  the  defencelefs  ilatc  of  the  regiments,  i£ 
no  relief  can  be  had,  may  be  productive  of  fatal  confequences. 

To  give  Conqrefs  fome  idea  of  our  iituation  with  refpe6t  to 
arms— (and  juftice  to  my  own  character  requires  that  it  ihould 
be  known  to  them,  although  the  world  at  large  will  form  their 
opinion  of  our  ftrength  from  numbers,  without  attending  to  cir- 
cumftances) — it  may  not  be  amifs  to  inclofe  a  copy  of  a  return 
which  I  received  a  few  .days  ago  from  the  forts  in  the  High- 
lands, and  add,  that,  by  a  report  from  colonel  Ritzema's  re- 
giment, of  the  twenty -ninth  ultimo,  there  appeared  to  be  only 
ninety-feven  firelocks  and  feven  bayonets  belonging  thereto ; 
and  that  all  the  regiments  from  the  eaftward  are  deficient  from 
twenty  to  fifty  of  the  former.  Four  of  thole  companies  at  the 
fortifications  in  the  Highlands,  belong  to  colonel  Clinton's  re- 
giment :  but  in  what  condition  the  refidue  are  on  account  of 
arms,  and  how  colonel  Wyncoop's  men  are  provided,  I  cannot 
undertake  to  fay,  but  am  told,  mod  miferably  ;  as  colonel  Day- 
ton's of  New-Jerfey,  and  colonel  Wayne's  of  Fennfylvania  alib 
are.  This,  fir,  is  a^rue,  though  melancholy  deicription  of  our 
iituation.  The  propriety  therefore  of  keeping  arms  in  ftore 
when  men  in  aclual  pay  are  in  want  of  them,  and  who  (it  is  to 
be  prefumed)  will,  as  they  ought,  bear  the  heat  and  burden  of 
the  day,  is  fubmitted  with  all  due  deference  to  the  fupeiior 
judgment  of  others. 

1  cannot,  by  all  the  inquiries  I  have  been  able  to  make, 
learn  what  number  of  arms  have  been  taken  from  the  tories, 
where  they  lie,  or  how  they  are  to  be  got  at.  The  committee 
of  fafety  for  this  colony  have  affured  me  that  no  exertions  of 
theirs  mall  be  wanting  to  procure  arms  :  but  our  fufferings  in 
the  mean  time  may  prove  fatal,  as  men  without  are  in  a  man- 
ner ufelefs.  I  have  therefore  thoughts  of  employing  an  agent 
whofe  fole  bulinefs  it  mall  be  to  ride  through  the  middle  and 
interior  parts  of  thefe  governments,  for  the  purpofe  of  buying 
up  fuch  arms  as  the  inhabitants  may  incline  to  fell,  and  are  fit 
for  ufe.  j  i  ;..&'  -*  4 

The 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON'* 

Tlie  defigns.  oF  the  enemy  are  too  much  behind  the  curtain 
for  me  to  form  any  accurate  opinion  of  their  plan  of  operations 
for  the  fummer's  campaign.  We  are  left  to  wander  therefore 
an  the  field  of  conjefture  :  and  as  no  place  (all  itsconfequences 
coniidered)  feemed  of  more  importance  in  the  execution  of  their 
grand  plan,  than  poflefling  themfelves  of  Hudfon's  river,  I 
thought  it  advifable  to  remove  with  the  continental  army  to  this 
city  as  foon  as  the  king's  troops  evacuated  Bofton.  But  ii 
Congrefs,  from  their  knowledge,  information,  01  belief,  think 
it  beft  for  the  general  good  of  the  fervice  that  I  mould  go  to 
the  northward  or  elfcwhere,  they  are  convinced,  I  hope,  that 
they  have  nothing  more  to  do  than  lignify  their  commands. 

With  the  greateft  refpe6t,  I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c. 

G.  W. 


SIR,  New-Tor&,  May  7,  1776, 

At  a  quarter  after  feven  this  evening,  I  received  by  ex- 
prefs  a  letter  from  Thomas  Culhing,  efquire,  chairman  of  a 
committee  of  the  honorable  general  court,  covering  one  to  them 
for  the  committee  of  Salem ;  copies  of  which  I  do  myfclf  the 
honor  to  lay  before  Congrefs,  that  they  may  judge  of  the  in- 
telligence contained  therein,  and  direct  fuch  meafures  to  be 
taken  upon  the  occafion  as  they  may  think  proper  and  necef- 
far-y. 

I  would  o-bfervc,  that,  fuppofing  captain  Lee's  account  to 
be  true  in  part,  I  think  there  mull  be  a  tniilake  either  in  the 
number  of  troops  or  the  tranfport  friips.  If  there  are  no  more 
{hips  than  what  are  mentioned,  it  is  certain  there  cannot  be  fo 
many  troops.  Of  this,  however,  Congrefs  can  judge  as  well  as 
-tnyfelf  j  and  I  fubmit  to  them,  whether,  upon  th'e  whole  of  the 
circumftances,  and  the  uncertainty  of  their  defoliation  (if  they 
were  feen  at  all),  they  chufe  that  any  forces  fhall  be  detached 
from  hence,  as  they  will  fee,  from  the  returns  tranfmitted  yef- 
terday,  that  the  number  of  men  now  here  is  but  fmall  and  in- 
confiderable  ;  and  (what  is  to  be  regretted)  no  fmall  part  oi 
thefe  without  arms. — Perhaps,  by  dividing  and  fubdividing 
our  force  too  much,  we  fhall  have  no  one  port  furBciently 
guarded. 

I  (hall  wait  their  direction)  and,  whatever  their  order  is, 
{hall  comply  with  it  as  foon  as  poflible. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c.  G,  W. 

P.  S.  I  have  by  the  fame  exprefs,  a  letter  from  general 

Ward 


OFFICIAL    LETTERS.  119 

Ward,  containing  a  iirailar  account  to  that  from  the  Salem  com- 
mittee, and  by  way  of  ca-ptain  Lee. 

Should  the  commiffioners  arrive  that  are  mentioned,  how  are 
they  to  be  received  and  treated  ? — I  wifh  the  direction  of  Con- 
grefs  upon  the  fubjeft,  by  return  of  the  bearer. 


SIR,  New-Tort,  May  1 1,  1776. 

I  AM  now  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  favors  of 
the  fourth  and  feventh  inftant,  with  their  feveral  inclofures,  and 
am  exceedingly  glad,  that,  before  the  refolution  refpe&ing 
lieutenant-colonel  Ogden  came  to  hand,  I  had  ordered  him  to 
join  his  regiment,  and  had  quelled  a  difagreeable  fpirit  both  of 
mutiny  and  defertion,  which  had  taken  place  and  feemed  to  be 
rifing  to  a  great  degree  in  confequence  of  it.  In  order  to  ef- 
fect it,  I  had  the  regiment  paraded,  and  ordered  two  more  at 
the  fame  time  under  arms,'  convinced  them  of  their  error  and  ill 
conduct,  and  obtained  a  promife  for  their  good  behavior  in  fu- 
ture. To  fuch  of  the  men  as  had  abfconded  I  gave  pardons,  on 
their  afl'urances  to  return  to  their  duty  again. 

In  my  letter  of  the  fifth  inftant  which  I  had  the  honor  of  ad- 
drefling  you,  I  mentioned  to  Congrefs  the  refraclory  and  muti- 
nous conduft  of  lieutenant  *  *  *  *  of  the  fecond  regiment, 
and  laid  before  them  a  copy  of  the  proceedings  of  a  court-mar- 
tial upon  him,  and  of  his  defence,  with  a  view  that  fuch  mea- 
fures  might  be  adopted  as  they  mould  think  adequate  to  his 
crime. — I  would  now  beg  leave  to  inform  them,  that,  fince 
then,  he  has  appeared  fenilble  of  his  mifconducl:  and  having 
made  a  written  acknowledgment  of  his  offence,  and  begged  par- 
don for  it  (as  by  the  inclofed  copy  will  appear),  I  thought  it 
bed  to  releafe  him  from  his  confinement,  and  have  ordered  him 
to  join  his  regiment  j  which  i  hope  will  meet  their  approbation, 
and  render  any  determination,  as  to  him,  unneceffary  j — ob- 
ferving  at  the  fame  time  that  I  have  endeavored,  and,  1  flatter 
myfelf,  not  ineffually,  to  fupport  their  authority,  and  a  due 
fubordination  in  the  army,  I  have  found  it  of  importance  and 
highly  expedient  to  yield  many  points  in  fa6l,  without  leeming 
to  have  done  it, — and  this,  to  avoid  bringing  on  a  too  frequent 
difcuflion  of  matters,  which,  in  a  political  view,  ought  to  be 
kept  a  little  behind  the  curtain,  and  not  be  made  too  much  the 
fubjects  of  difquifition. — Time  only  can  eradicate  and  overcome 
cufloins  arid  prejudice  of  long  {landing :  they  mult  be  got  the 
better  of,  by  flow  and  gradual  advances. 

I  would 


i2o  GENERAL  WASHING TONV 

I  would  here  take  occafion  to  fuggeft  to  Congrefs  (not  wifh- 
ing  or  meaning  of  myfelf  to  amime  the  fmalleft  degree  of  power 
.in  any  infcance)  the  propriety  and  neceility  of  having  their  fen- 
.timents  refpeciing  the  filling  up  the  vacancies  and  iffuing  corn- 
inifiioners  to  officers,  efpecially  to  thole  under  the  rank  of  field 
oncers.  Had  I  literally  complied  with  the  dire&ions  given 
upon  this  fubje&  when  I  firft  engaged  in  the  fervice,  and  which 
I  conceived  to  be  fuperceded  by  a  fubfequent  refolve  for  form- 
ing the  army  upon  the  prefent  e  flab  li  lament,  I  muft  have  em- 
ployed one  clerk,  for  no  other  bufinefs  than  iffuing  warrants  of 
Appointment,  and  giving  information  to  Congrefs  for  their  con- 
firmation or  refufal.  It  being  evident  from  the  neceflity  of  the 
thing,  that  there  will  be  frequent  changes  and  vacancies  in  of- 
fice, from  death  and  a  variety  of  other  caufes,  I  now  fubmit  it 
to  them,  and  pray  their  direction  whether  I  am  to  purfue  that 
.mode  and  all  the  ceremonies  attending  it,  or  to  be  at  liberty  to 
£11  up  and  grant  commiffions  at  once  to  fuch  as  may  be  fit  and 
"proper  perfons  to  fucceed. 

Before  I  have  done,  with  the  utmoft  deference  and  refpecl: 
I  would  beg  leave  to  remind  Corig»  efs  of  my  former  letters  and 
applications  refpeciing  the  appointment  of  proper  perfons  to  fu- 
.perintend  and  take  direction  of  fuch  prifoners  as  have  already 
.fallen  and  will. fall  into  our  hands  in  the  courfe  of  the  war,— 
being  fully  convinced,  that,  if  there  were  perfons  appointed 
..who  would  take  the  whole  management  of  them  under  their 
care,  the  continent  would  fave  a  considerable  fum  of  money  by 
it,  and  the  prifoners  be  better  treated  and  provided  with  real 
neceiTaries  than  they  now  are  j — and  (hall  take  the  liberty  to  add 
that  it  appears  to  me  a  matter  of  much  importance,  and  worthy 
of  consideration,  that  particular  and  proper  places  of  fecurity 
fhould  be  fixed  on  and  eilabiiihed  in  the  interior  parts  of  the 
(different  governments  for  their  reception. 

Such  eftablifhments  are  agreeable  to  the  pra&ice  and  ufaga 
of  the  Engliih  and  other  nations,  and  are  founded  on  principles 
of  neceffity  and  public  utility.  The  advantages  which  will  a- 
rife  from  them  are  obvious  and  many  :- — I  (hall  only  mention 
two  01  three. — -They  will  tend  much  to  prevent  cfcapes  (which 
are  difficult  to  effccl  when  the  public  is  once  advertifed  that  the 
prifoners  are  restrained  to  a  fe\v  Hated  and  well-known  places, 
and  not  permitted  to  go  from  thence),  r,nd  the  more  ingenious 
among  them  from  dilTeminnting  and  foreadhig  their  artful  and 
pernicious  intrigues  and  opinions  throughout  the  country,  which 
would  influence  the  weaker  and  wavering  part  of  mankind,  an:i 
meet  with  but  too  favorable  a  hearing.  Further,  it  will  be  leis 

in 


OFFICIAL     LETTERS.  121 

in  their  power  to  join  and  afiift  our  enemies  in  cafes  of  invauon, 
and  will  give  us  an  opportunity  always  to  know,  from  the  re- 
turns of  tiofe  appointed  to  fuperintend  them,  what  number  we 
have  in  poffeiTion,  the  force  fufficient  to  check  and  fuppreis 
their  hotlile  views  in  times  of  emergency,  and  the  expenfes  ne~ 
ceffary  for  their,  maintenance  and  fupport.  Many  other  reafon* 
might  be  adduced  to  prove  the  neceflity  and  expediency  of  the 
meafure  ;— J  {hall  only  fubjoin  one  more,  and  then  have  done 
on  the  fubje6t, — which  is,  that  many  of  the  towns  where  pri- 
ibners  have  been  already  lent,  not  having  convenience  for  or 
the  means  of  keeping  them,  complain  they  are  burdenfomc  j 
and  have  become  carelefs,  inattentive,  and  altogether  indiffer- 
ent whether  they  efcape  or  not  j  and  thofe  of  them  that  are  re- 
ft ricled  to  a  clofer  confinement  (the  limits  of  jail)  are  neglect- 
ed, and  not  treated  with  that  care  and  regard  which  Congreis 
v/iih. 

I  have  not  received  further  intelligence  of  the  German  troops 
fince  my  letter  of  the  feventh  iniiant,  covering  Mr.  Cufliing's 
difpatches.  But,  left  the  account  of  their  coming  mould  be 
true,  may  it  not  be  advifable  and; 'good  policy  to  raife  fome 
companies  of  our  German;,  to  lend  among  them  when  they  ar- 
rive, for  exciting  a  fpirit  of  .difaffsilron  and  defertion  ? — If  a 
few  fenfible  and  trufty  feUdw.V  could  get  with  them,  I  mould 
think  they  would  have  ^reat  weight  ai:d  influence  with  the  com- 
mon foldiery,  who  certainly  have  no  enmity  towards  us,  having 
received  no  injury  nor  caufe  of  quarrel  irom  u.s.  The  raeafu.re 
having  occurred,  and  appearing  to  me  expedient,  I  thought  it 
prudent  to  mention  it  for  the  confederation  of  Cqngrefs. 

Having  received  a  letter  from  general  Ward,  adviiiiig  that 
Congrefs  have  accepted  his  refignation,  and  praying  to  be  re- 
lieved,— and  it  being  neceflary  that  a  general  officer  fhould  be 
fent  to  take  the  command  of  the  troops  at  Bofton,  efpecially  if 
the  aimy  fhould  arrive  which  is  talked  of,  and  which  fome  con- 
iider  as  a  probable  event, — I  rauil  beg  leave  to  recommend  to 
Congrefs  the  appointment  of  fome  brigadier-generals,  not  hav- 
ing'moie  here  (nor  fo  many  at  this  time)  than  are  eiTential  to 
the  government  and  conducting  the  forces  and  the  works  that 
are  carrying  on.  Generals  Sullivan  and  Thompfon  being  or- 
dered to  Canada,  I  cannot  fpare  one  more  general  ofHcer  frora 
hence  without  injuring  the  fervice  greatly,  and  leaving  the  ar- 
my here  without  a  fufficient  number. 

Having  frequent  applications  from  the  committse  of  fafety 
and  others,  about  an  exchange  of  prifoners,  and  not  having  au- 
thonrv  to  purlue  any  otlisr  mods  ii;  this  inftajxce,  than  that 

Q  markc-d 


122  GENERAL  WASHINGTON'S 

marked  out  by  a  refolve  of  Congrefs  fome  confiderable  time 
ago,  I  hope  they  will  pardon  me  when  I  wiih  them  to  take  un- 
der confideiation  fuch  parts  of  my  letter  of  the  twenty-fecond 
ultimo  as  relate  to  this  fubjecl  ;  and  for  their  determination 
upon  it.  [  fhall  then  have  it  in  my  power  to  give  explicit 
and  fatisfa&ory  anfwers  to  thofe  who  fhall  apply, 

I  am,  fir.   &c.  .  G,  W. 


SIR,  New-Tori,  May   15,   1776, 

SINCE  my  lafl  of  the  eleventh  inftant,  which  I  hzd  the 
honor  to  addrefs  to  you,  nothing  of  moment  or  importance  has 
occurred  ;  and  the  principal  defign  of  this  is  to  communicate 
to  Congrefs  the  intelligence  I  received  laft  night  from  general 
Schuyler  by  a  letter  of  the  tenth,  refpe£ling  the  progrefs  of 
r:ar  troops  in  getting  towards  Canada,  not  doubting  of  their 
impatience  and  anxiety  to  hear  of  it  and  of  every  thing  relating 
to  the  expedition.  For  their  more  particular  information  .and 
fatisficHon,  I  have  done  myfelf  the  pleaflire  to  extract  the  fub- 
Stance  of  his  letter  on  this  head,  which  is  as  follows  : — *'  that 
general  Thompfon,  with  the  laft  of  his  brigade,  on  the  morning 
of  tuefday  fe'nnight,  embarked  at  Fort-George  j  and,  in  the 
evening  of  the  next  day,  general  Sullivan  arrived  at  Albany  ; 
-—that  he  had  ordered  an  additional  number  of  carpenters  to 
a  (lift  in  building  boats  j  who,  finimed  eight  every  day,  would 
have  a  hundred  and  ten  complete  by  the  twenty-firft,  before 
which  he  was  fearful  the  laft  of  general  Sullivan's  brigade 
could  not  embark  ; — that  they  would  carry  thirteen  men  each, 
befides  the  baggage,  ammunition,  and  intrenching  tools." 

He  alfo  informs,  *'  that  the  fixty  barrels  of  poxvder  had  ar- 
rived, and  would  be  forwarded  that  day  ; — that  the  firft  regi- 
ment of  general  Sullivan's  brigade  marched  that  morning  ;  and 
that  the  intrenching  tools  and  about  fix  hundred  barrels  of 
pork  were  alfo  gone  on  ', — that  he  cannot  poflibly  fend  more 
than  half  of  the  three  hundred  thoufand  dollars  into  Canada 
(being  greatly  in  debt  on  the  public  account,  and  the  creditors 
exceedingly  clamorous  and  importunate  for  payment),  which 
fum  he  hopes  will  be  fufficient,  till  the  Canadians  agree  to  take 
our  paper  currency,  to  which  they  are  much  averfe,  and  of 
which  he  is  exceedingly  doubtful : — that  he  had  got  the  chain, 
•and  would  forward  it  that  day  to  general  Arnold,  with  orders 
to  fix  it  at  the  rapids  of  Richelieu."  £le  adds,  "  that  he  had 

reviewed 


OFFICIAL    LETTERS. 

reviewed  general  Sullivan's  brigade  in  prefence  of  about  two 
hundred  and  fixty  Indians,  who  were  greatly  pleafed  with  the 
order  and  regularity  of  the  troops,  and  furprifed  at  the  number, 
which,  the  tories  had  induftriouily  propagated,  confined  only  of 
tlyee  companies,  and  that  they  were  always  kept  walking  the. 
jftreets,  to  induce  them  to  believe  their  number  was  much  great- 
er than  it  really  was." 

1  have  inclofed  a  copy  of  general  Schuyler's  inftroctions  to 
James  Price,  efquire,  deputy  commiiTary-general,  for  the  regu- 
lation of  his  conduct  in  that  department,  which  I  received  laft 
night,  and  which  general  Schuyler  requefted  me  to  forward 
you. — I  alib  beg  leave  to  lay  before  Congrefs  a  copy  of  a  let- 
ter from  Samuel  Stringer,  director  of  one  of  the  hofpitals,  pur- 
porting an  application  for  an  increafe  of  furgeons'-mates,  &c. 
an  eftirnate  of  which  is  alfo  inclofed  j  and  iubmit  it  to  them, 
what  number  muft  be  fent  from  hence  or  got  elfewhere.  It  is 
highly  probable  that  many  more  will  be  wanted  in  Canada  than, 
are  already  there,  on  account  of  the  late  augmentation  of  the 
army :  but  I  thought  it  moil  advifable  to  make  his  requifition 
known  to  Congrefs,  and  to  take  their  order  and  direction  upon 
it. — As  to  the  medicines,  I  mail  fpeak  to  Dr.  Morgan  (not  yet 
arrived)  as  foon  as  he  comes,  and  order  him  to  forward  fuch  as 
may  be  neceffary  and  can  be  poflibly  fpared. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c.  G  .W. 


SIR,  New-York,  Msy  17^    1 7 76. 

I  THIS  moment  received  by  exprefs  from  general  Schuy- 
ler  an  account  of  the  melancholy  profpect  and  reverie  of  our 
affairs  in  Canada  :  and  prcfuming  that  the  letters  which  accom- 
pany this  will  give  Congrefs  full  information  upon  the*  fubject, 
1  ihall  only  add,  that  general  Schuyler,  in  puriuance  of  orders, 
from  the  honorable  commiffioncrs,  has  directed  brigadier-gene- 
ral Sullivan  to  halt  his  brigade  5  as  a  further  reinforcement 
(on  account  of  the  fcarcity  of  provifions)  would  not  relieve, 
but  contribute  greatly  to  diflrefs  our  troops  already  in  Canada, 
Before  he  received  thefe  orders,  all  the  brigade,  except  Day- 
ton's and  Wayne's  regiments,  had  left  Albany  :  but  I  fuppoiV 
he  will  be  able  to  flop  their  inarch. 

By  my  letter  of  the  fifteenth,  Congrefs  will  perceive  the 
quantity  of  pork  already  gone  from  hence  :  and  the  commiffary 
has  allured  me  that  he  will  forward  a  further  fupply  as  foon  as 
it  can'  be  poffibly  collected.  I  had  alfo  directed  iive  tons  of 

lead1 


124  GENERAL   WASHINGTON'S 

lead  to  be  fent  to  general  Schuyler  for  trie  Canada  expedition, 
before  I  received  this  unfortunate  account ;  which  was  as  much 
as  could  be  ipared  for  the  preient  *our  flock  being  inconiidera* 
ble  in  proportion  to  the  demand  we  may  reafonably  expe£t  for 
it)  y  and  (ball  do  every  thing  in  my  power  to  relieve  oar  afT-ahs 
from  their  pi  efent  diitreiTed  and  melancholy, fituation  in  that 
quarter,  which  occurs  to  me  and  appears  necefLry. 

I  am  alfo  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  favors  of  the 
tenth  and  thirteenth  inftant,  with  their  feveral  inclofures.  The 
money,  accompanying  the  letter,  came  to  the  paymaster's  hands 
fafe. — I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &<:.  G,  W. 


SIR,  Nevj-Tor&,  May  18,   1776. 

I  DO  myfelf  the  honor  to  tranfmit  to  you  the  inclofed 
letters  and  papers  I  received  this  morning  in  the  (late  they 
now  are,  which  contain  fundry  matters  of  intelligence  of  the 
rnoft  interesting  nature.  As  ^the  confideration  of  them  may 
lead  to  important  coniequences  and  the  adoption  of  fereral 
iDeafures  in  the  military  line,  I  have  thought  it  advifable  for 
general  Gates  to  attend  Congrefs — ^(he  will  follow  to-morrow, 
and  fatisfy,  and  explain  to  them  fome  points  they  may  wilh  to 
"be  informed  of  in  the  courfe  of  their  deliberations) — rot  hav- 
ing an  opportunity  at  this  time  to  fubmit  my  thoughts  to  them 
upon  thefe  intereiting  accounts. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c.  G.  "VV, 


CJR,  New-York,  May   19,   1776. 

*THIS  will  be  delivered  you.  by  general  Gates  who  feti 
out  to-day  for  Congrefs,  agreeable  to  my  letter  of  yelterdav, 
r  have  committed  to  him  the  heads  of  i'undry  matters  to  lay- 
before  Congrefs  for  their  confjderation,  which,  from  the  inter- 
efting  intelligence  contained  iti  my.lait,  appear  to  me  of  the 
utmort  importance,  and  to  demand  their  mult  early  and  ferious 
attention. 

S,enfible  that  I  have  omitted  to  fet  down  many  things  nece- 
fary,  and  which  probably,  when  deliberating,  they  will  wiih  to 
be  acquainted  with, — and  not  conceiving  myfelf  at  liberty  to 
depart  from  my  port  (though  to  attend  them)  without  their 
jpievious  approbation, — I  have  requested  general  Gates  to  iub- 
hints  of  his  own,  as  he  muy  apprthend  material.  Hi* 

military 


OFFICIAL   LETTERS,  x^ 

military  experience  and  intimate  acquaintance  with  tlie  fitua- 
tfon  of  our  affairs  will  enable  him  to  give  Congrefs  the  fulleft 
fatisfaction  about  the  meafures  neceffary  to  be  adopted  at  this 
alarming  crifis  :  and,  with  his  zeal'  and  attachment  to  the  caufe 
of  America,  have  a  claim  to  their  notice  and  favors. 

When  Congrefs  {hall  have  come  to  a  determination  an  the 
fubjeft  of  this  letter,  and  fuch  parts  of  my  former  letters  as 
have  not  been  determined  on,  you  will  be  pleafed  to  honor  me 
with  the  refult. — I  am,  fir,  &c.  G.  W« 


SIR.,  New-York,  May  20,    1776. 

YOUR  favor  of  the  fixteenth,  with  fever al  refolutions  of 
Congrefs  therein  inclofed,  I  had  not  the  honor  to  receive  till 
laft  night.  Before  the  receipt,  I  did  not  think  myfelf  at  liberty 
to  wait  on  Congrefs,  although  I  wifhed  to  do  it  j  and  therefore, 
the  more  readily  alfented  to  general  Gates's  attendance,  as  I 
knew  there  were  many  matters  which  could  be  better  explain- 
ed in  a  perfonal  interview  than  in  whole  volumes  of  letters. 
He  accordingly  fet  out  for  Philadelphia  yefterday  morning,  and 
muft  have  been  too  far  advanced  on  his  journey  (as  he  piopofed 
expedition)  to  be  overtaken. 

I  (hall,  if  I  can  fettle  fome  matters  which  are  in  agitation 
with  the  provincial  Congrefs  here,  follow  to-morroxv  or  next 
day  ;  and  therefore,  '/with  every  fentiment  of.  regard,  attach- 
ment, and  gratitude  to  Congrefs  for  their  kind  attention  to -the 
means  which  they  think  may  be  conducive  to-  my  health,  and 
w,ith  particular  thanks  to  you  for  the  politenefs  of  your  invi- 
tation to  your  houfe,  conclude,  dear  lir,  your  moft  obedient, 
&c.  G.  W. 

SIR,  Philadelphia^  June  3,    1776. 

I  HAVE  perufed  the  petition  preferred  by  the  indepen- 
dent corps  of  Boiton,  and  beg  leave,  through  you,  to  inform 
Congrefs  that  the  five  regiments  there  are  extremely  deficient 
in  arms,  as  arc  many  other  regiments  in  continental  pay  j  and 
fubmit  it  to  their  confideration,  whether  any  part  of  the  arms 
lately  taken,  under  thefe  circumftances,  (hould  be  delivered 
to  the  gentlemen  applying  for  them  j — determining,  at.  .the 
fame  time,  .that  whatever  decilion  they  come  to,  will  be  agree- 
able to  me,  and  be  literally  complied  with,  by,  fir,  your  moft 
,  &c,  G.  W. 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON'* 


SIR,  Neiv-Tork,  June  7, 

I  DO  myfelf  the  honor  to  inform  Congrefs  that  I  arrived 
liere  yefterday  afternoon  about  one  o'clock,  and  found  all  in  a 
ftate  of  peace  and  quiet.  I  had  not  time  to  view  the  works 
carrying  on,  and  thofe  ordered  to  be  begun  when  I  went  away; 
but  have  reafon  to  believe,  from  the  report  of  fuch  of  the  ge- 
neral and  other  officers  as  I  had  the  pleasure  to  fee,  that  they 
have  been  profecuted  and  forwarded  with  all  poflible  diligence 
and  difpatch. 

I  am  much  concerned  for  the  fituation  of  our  affairs  in  Ca- 
nada, and  am  fearful,  ere  this,  it  is  much  worfe  than  was  firft 
reported  at  Philadelphia.  The  intelligence  tfrom  thence,  in  a 
letter  from  captain  Wilkinfon  of  the  fecond  regiment,  to  gene- 
ral Greene,  is  truly  alarming.  It  not  only  confirms  the  account 
of  colonel  Biddle  and  major  Sherburne's  defeat,  but  feems  to 
forebode  general  Arnold's,  with  the  lofs  of  Montreal. — I  have 
inclofed  a  copy  of  the  letter,  which  will  but  too  well  fhew  that 
there  is  foundation  for  my  apprehenfions. 

On  wednefday  evening  I  received  an  exprefs  from  general 
Schuyler,  with  fundry  papers  refpecling  fir  John  Johnfton, 
which  I  have  not  time  to  copy,  as  the  poft  is  juft  going  off, 
but  will  do  myfelf  the  honor  of  tranfmitting  you  as  foon  as  Jt 
poflibly  can. 

Before  I  left  Philadelphia,  I  employed  a  perfon  to  fuperin- 
tend  the  building  of  the  gondolas  which  Congrefs  had  refolved 
on  for  this  place.  He  is  arrived,  and  all  things  feem  to  be  in 
a  proper  channel  for  facilitating  the  work  :  but  when  they  are 
done,  we  (hall  be  in  much  want  of  guns,  having  never  received 
any  of  thofe  taken  by  commodore  Hopkins. 

JBe  pleafed  to  mention  me  to  Congrefs  with  the  utmoft  re- 
fcecl  y  and  I  am,  fir,  with  every  fentiment  of  regard  and  efteem, 
your  and  their  obedient  iervant,  G.  W. 

P.  S.  I  this  minute  received  your  favor  of  the  fifth  inftant. 
— I  am  in  need  of  commiJTions,  and  beg  Congrefs  to  point  out 
precilely  the  line  I  am  to  purfue  in  filling  them  up.  This  I 
mentioned  in  my  letter  of  the  eleventh  ultimo. — I  am  much 
pleafed  at  the  fortunate  captures,  and  the  generous  conduct 
of  the  owners  and  maftert.,  for  the  tender  of  the  money  to  Con* 
greis. 


OFFICIAL    LETTERS.  127 

SIR,  June  8,  1776. 

IN  my  letter  of  yeflerday  which  I  had  the  honor  of  ad- 
drefling  you,  and  which  was  defigned  to  have  gone  by  poft,  but 
was  prevented  by  his  departure  at  the  ufual  time,  I  mentioned 
iny  having  received  by  exprefs  a  letter  and  fundry  papers  from 
general  Schuyler,  refpe&ing  fir  John  Johnfton,  copies  of  which 
I  herewith  tranfmit  you  for  your  infpection  and  perufal.  They 
will  (hew  you  what  meafures  were  planned  and  attempted  for 
apprehending  him,  and  fecuring  the  Scotch  Hilariders  in  Try  on 
county. 

Having  heard  that  the  troops  at  Bofton  are  extremely  unea- 
fy  and  almoft  mutinous  for  want  of  pay  (feveral  months  being 
now  due),  I  muft  take  the  liberty  to  repeat  a  queftion  contain- 
ed in  my  letter  of  the  fifth  ultimo,— "  what  mode  is  to  be  pur- 
fued  rtfpecting  it  ?  whether  is  money  to  be  fent  from  hence  by 
the  paymafter-general,  or  fome  perfon  fubordihate  to  him  to  be 
appointed  there  for  that  purpofe  ? — I  expected  fome  direction 
would  have  been  given  in  this  inftance,  long  ere  this,  from 
what  was  contained  in  yours  accompanying  (or  about  the 
time  of)  the  laft  remittance.  I  prefume  it  has  been  omitted 
by  reafon  of  the  multiplicity  of  important  bulinefs  before  Con? 
grefs. 

In  perufing  the  feveral  refolves  you  honored  me  with  when 
at  Philadelphia  and  iince  my  return,  I  find  one  allowing  a  chief 
engineer  for  th$  army  in  a  feparate  department.  The  fervice 
requiring  many  of  them,  I  wilh  Congrefs,  if  they  know  any  per- 
fons  Ikilled  in  this  bufinefs,  would  appoint  them.  General 
Schuyler  has  frequently  applied,  and  fuggefted  the  neceility  of 
having  fome  in  Canada. — 1  myfelf  know  of  none. 

I  alfo  find  there  is  a  refolve  of  the  third  of  June,  for  taking 
Indians  into  the  fervice,  which,  if  literally  ccnftrued,  confines 
them  to  that  in  Canada. — Is  that  the  meaning  of  Congrefs,  or 
that  the  commander-in-chief  may  order  their  fervice  to  any- 
place h«  may  think  neceiTary  ? 

In  refpect  to  the  eftablifhing  expreffes  between  the  feveral 
continental  pofts, — who  is  to  do  it  ? — the  refolves  does  not  fa'y. 
-— Is  it  expected  by  Congrefs  that  I  fhould  ?— Whoever  the 
work  is  affigned  to,  I  think  fhould  execu'te  it  with  the  utmoft 
difpacth.  The  late  imperfe6l  and  contradictory  accounts  re- 
fpe&ing  our  defeat  at  the  Cedars,  flrongly  point  out  the  ne- 
ceffity  there  is  for  it.  No  intelligence  is  yet  come  from  any 
«flicer  in  command  there  (and  molt  probably  for  want  of  a  pro- 
per 


128  GENERAL  WASHINGTON'S 

per  channel  to  convey  it),  though   this  misfortune  happened  fo 

long  3 

.::n  I  had  the  honor  of  being  in  Congrefs,  if  I  ihiftake 
-rot,  I  heard  a  "refolvc  read,  or  was  told  of  one,  alloy/ing  the 
New-York  troops  the  fame  pay  as  others  in  the  continent?.! 
fervice.  This,  i'f  any  fuch,  I  do  not  find  j  and  if  there  is  not 
juch  a  one,  I  fh«ll  be  under  ibme  embanralTment,  hcw'to  pay 
the  militia'  to  be  provided  by  this  province.  The  refolve  pro- 
vlding  'them,  &ys  they  are  to  be  paid,  wh'k  in  fervice,  as  other 
t'ooTjs  are.  But  if  fhofe  enlifted  heretofore  in  this  province 
are  to  receive  according  to  the  firft  eilabiiihrnent,  it  is  a  niatre.r 
of  doubt,  what  the  militia  are  to  have. 

Before  this  comes  to  hand,  a  hand-bill,  containing  an  account 
of  a'  victory  gained  by  general  Arnold  over  the  party  that  had 
Defeated  colonel  Biddle  and  major  Sherburne,  will  melt  proba- 
bly have  reached  you.  I  have  inquired  into  the  authenticity 
c;  this  fortunate  icpcrt,  and  have  found  there  is  no  dependence 
to  be  put  in  it  :  nor  do  I  believe  it  deferving  of  the  Icait  credit. 
J  ihall  be  happy  not  to  hear  the  reverfe. 

1  have  the'  honor  to  be,-&c.  Gv  W. 

p.  S.  it  Congrefs  have  come  to  any  refolution  about  an  al- 
lowance to  induce*  men  to  re-enlift,  you  will  pleafe  to  favor  me 
yvith.it,  as  the,  time  the  nfi-  regiment  is  engaged  for  is  juft 

expired.  . 

As  the  militia  will  be  coming  in,  and  they  will  be  in  much 
need  of  covering,  pleafe  to  have  all  the  tents,  and  cloth  proper 
for  making  them  that  can  be  procured,  forwarded  as  loon  as 


New-Tor*,  'June  9,   1776. 

I  WAS  honored  yefterday  with  your  favor  of  the  feventh, 
with  Us  inclofures.  When  Dr.  Potts  arrives,  !  ihall  order  hira 
to  Catiada  or  Lnke^George,  as  may  appear  moll  proper. 
cevtahJy  neccii^ry  that  he  or  Dr.  btringer  ihouid  go  to  the 
fo^mer.i-The  leiblve  refpeOing  general  Woofler's  recaJl  I  y  :«1 
immediately  tranfmit  him  with  direaions  to  repsir  hither  *it 


out  delay. 

"The  fituatipn   of  our  affairs   m   Canada,   as  rej 
honorable  committioners,  is  truly   alarming  j "and 
that  my  opinion  of  the  ill  eonfequences  refulting  from  the  fiiort 
enliftweut  cf  the  army  ihouid  be  but  too  well  confirmed 
'eYDcrience  tliev  have  had  of  the  want  of  difciphne  r.nd  oiiicr. 


OFFICIAL    L  UTTERS.  129 

IA  our  foldiety  tliere.  This  induces  trie  again  to  wifh  Con- 
grefs  to  determine  on  a  liberal  allowance  to  engage'  the  troops 
already  in  fervice.  to  re-enlirt  for  a  longer  period,  or  during 
the  continuance  of  the  war  ;  nor  can  I  forbear  cxprefllng  my 
opinion  of  the  propriety  of  keeping  the  military  cheft  always 
fupplied  with  money,  as  evils  of  the  moft  interefting  nature  are 
often  produced  for  want  of  a  regular  payment  of  troops. — The 
neglecl  makes  them  impatient  and  uneafy* 

I  am  much  furprifed  at  the  fcarcity  of  provisions  there,  parti- 
cularly of  Hour  5  as,  from  feveral  accounts  I  had  received  from 
thence,  I  was  led  to  expect  that  confiderable  fupplies  of  that 
article  could  be  procured  there.  That  our  misfortunes  may  not 
become  greater,  I  have  wrote  to  the  commiiTary  to  forward 
more  pro vifions,  in  addition  to  thofe  already  lent. 

An  adjutant  and  quarter-mafter-general  are  indifperifably 
neceflary,  with  affiftants.  The  money  laved  to  the  continent 
by  their  non- appointment  will  be  but  fmall  and  trifling,  when, 
put  in  competition  with  the  lofs  for  want  of  them.  Colonel 
Fleming  who  a6tedin  the  former  capacity  under  general  Mont- 
gomery, is  now  here  :  but  his  indifpolition  is  fuch  as  to  render 
him  unfit,  at  this  time,  for  the  poft  : — it  is  an  important  one^ 
and  requires  vigor  and  activity  to  discharge  the  duties  of  it* 
He  will  be  of  much  fervice  to  colonel  Reed,  the  bufinefs  of 
•fcrhofe  office  will  increafe  considerably  by  the  augmentation  o£ 
the  army, 

It  will  be  neceflary,  too,  that  the  Commifianes  in  Canada, 
and  the  deputy  qiiartei-mafter-generals,  fhotild  have  feveral' 
afliftants  and  clerks  :  n€>r  do  I  think  a  precife  number  can  be 
fixed  on,  as  a  variety  of  circumftances  may  and  muft  occur,  to 
render  the  number,  effential  for  doing  the  buiineis  in  thofe  de- 
partments, greater  or  lefs  at  different  times.  It  will  be  better, 
I  apprehend,  to  leave  it  indefinite,  and  with  power  to  the  com- 
manding officer  to  alldw  fuch  as  may  be  Wanted* 

I  am  ftill  in  the  dark,  how  the  unfortunate  affair  ended  at  the 
Cedars,  or  on  what  terms  the  furrender  Was  made,  as  the  laft 
tetter  from  the;  commiffionti's  has  reference  to  a  former^  and 
mentions  an  agreement  entered  into,  which  I  have  hot  feen  ; 
but  I  know  of  it  more  than  I  could  wim. 

I  have  received  from  Providence,  in  confequetice1  of  IVfr* 
Morris's  order,  as  chairman  of  the  fec?et  committee  of  Con- 
grefs,  two  hundred  and  thirty-four  miiiket3f  in  part  of  the  two 
hundred  and  forty-four  directed  to  be  fent.  The  inclofed  copy1 
of  a  letter  froru  Mr.  Brown,  will  account  for  tbc  deficiency. 

,»   •  IfcaU. 


130  GENERAL  WASHINGTON'* 

I  fhall  be  much  obliged  by  your  ordering  a  quantity  of  lead 
and  flints  to  be  immediately  forwarded  :  our  demands  for  both 
are  and  will  be  very  preiling.  There  are  alfo  wanted  fome. 
particular  and  neceffary  medicines  to  complete  our  hofpitat 
cheits,  of  which  I  will  get  Dr.  Morgan  to  furnifh  Congrefs  with 
a  lilt,  when  he  writes  or  waits  on  them  about  fome  other  mat- 
ters ueceffary  to  be  fixed  in  his  department. 

As  general  Woofter,  in  all  probability,  will  be  here  in  a  lit- 
tle time,  in  compliance  with  the  refolve  of  Congrefs  and  my  or- 
der tranfmitted  to  him,  I  wifft  to  know  what  I  am  to  do  with 
him  when  he  comes. 

General  Schuyler,  in  his  letter  of  the  thirty-firft  ultimo,  of 
•which  I  tranfmitted  you  a  copy  yefterday,  mentions  that  fun- 
dry  perfons  had  a  deiign  to  feize  him  as  a  tory,  and  probably 
ilill  have  \  and  wiihes  Congrefs  to  give  him  fome  public  mark 
of  their  approbation,  if  they  are  convinced  of  hia  zeal  and  at- 
tachment to  the  caufe  of  his  country. — Whether  he  intended 
chat  I  ihould  communicate  his  delire  to  them,  or  not,  I  am  not 
certain  :  but,  fuppofing  that  he  did,  I  raufl  beg  leave  to  requcft 
that  yoa  will  lay  the  paragraph  before  them,  that  they  may 
do,  in  the  inftance  of  his  requifition,  whatever  they  may  judge 
neceiTany. — I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c.  G.  W. 

P.  S.  If  Congrefs  have  agreed  to  the  report  of  the  commit- 
tee for  allowing  the  Indians  fifty  pounds  for  every  prifoner 
they  fKall  take  at  Niagara,  &.c.  it  is  material  I  mould  be  i:u 
formed  of  it.  This  will  be  a  favorable -opportunity  for  them  to 
embrace,  to  gain  poffeffion  of  Detroit  and  the  other  polls,  v/hilft- 
ihe  enemy  are  engaged  towards  Montreal, &c. 


SIR,  New-Tori:,  June  ID,   1776* 

SINCE  I  -did  myfelf  the  honor  of  writing  to  you  yefter- 
day,  I  have  had  the  fatisfaclion  of  feeing,  and  for  a  few  minutes 
converting  with,  IVIr.  Chafe  and  Mr.  Carroll  from  Canada. 
Their  account  of  our  troops  and  the  fituation  of  aifairs  in  that 
department  cannot  polTibly  furprife  you  more  than  it  has  done 
me.  But  I  need  not  touch  upon  a  fubjecl  which  you  will  be 
lo  well  informed  of  from  the  fountain-head  j  nor  ihould  I  have 
given  you  the  trouble  of  a  letter- by  this  day's  poft,  but  for  the 
didraciion  which  feems  to  prevail  in  the  commiffary's  depart* 
ment,  as  well  as  others  in  that  quarter, — the  neceffity  of  having" 
it  under  one  general  direction, — and  the  dilTatisf action  of  colo- 
nel Tiumbull  at  the  allowance  made  him  by  Congrefs  as  an 

equivalents. 


O  F  F  I  C  I  A  L   JL  ET  T  E  fc  S. 


131 


equivalent  for  his  trouble.  With  refpe&  to  this  particular  mat- 
ter, I  can  only  fay  that  I  think  he  is  a  man  well  \calculaied\ 
for  the  bufinefs,  and  that,  where  a  {hilling  is  faved  in  the  pay, 
a  pound  may  be  loll  by  mifmanageraent  in  the  office  j  and  that 
liis  refignation  at  this  time  (I  mean  this  campaign)  may  pofiibly 
be  attended  with  fatal  confequences.  I  therefore  humbly  fub- 
mit  to  Congrefs  the  propriety  of  handfomely  rewarding  thoie 

fentlemen  who   hold  fucb  very  important,    troublefome,   and 
azardous  offices,  as  commiffary  and  quarter-matter. 

In  fpeaking  to  the  former  about  the  fupplies  necefTary  for  the 
troops  to  be  laifed,  he  informed  me  that  the  quantity  of  fait 
provifions  which  was  ihipping  from  hence,  might  render  his  at- 
tempts to  do  it  precarious  j  in  conference  of  which,  1  defired 
him  to  lay  the  matter  before  the  convention  of  this  colon^-, 
which  he  will  do  this  day,  but  in  the  mean  while  deiired  Cou- 
grefs  might  be  informed  of  the  matter,  which  I  cannot  better 
do  than  in  his  own  words  inclofed,  and  fubmit  the  confideratioa 
of  it  to  the  wifdom  of  that  honorable  body. 

To  Congrefs  I  alfo  fubrait  the  propriety  of  keeping  the  two 
continental  battalions  (under  the  command  of  colonels  Shee 
and  M'Gaw)  at  Philadelphia,  when  there  is  the  greateft  pro- 
.bability  of  a  fpeedy  attack  upon  this  place,  from  the  king's 
troops.  The  encouragements  given  by  governor  Tryon  to 
the  difaffe&ed,  which  are  circulated,  no  one  can  well  tell  how* 
—  the  movements  of  thefe  kind  of  people,  which  are  more  eaiy 
to  perceive  than  defcribe,—  the  confident  report,  which  is  faid 
to  have  come  immediately  from  governor  Tryon,  and  brought 
by  a  frigate  from  Halifax,  that  the  troops  at  that  place  are  em- 
barking for  this,  —  added  to  a  thoufand  incidental  circunfftances, 
trivial  in  themfelves,  but  ftrong  from  ccnaparifon,  —  leave  not  a 
doubt  upon  my  mind  but  that  troops  are  hourly  expected  at 
the  Hook. 

I  had  no  doubt,  when  I  left  this  city  for  Philadelphia,  but 
that  fome  meafures  would  have  been  taken  to  fecure  the  fuf- 
pe&ed  and  dangerous  perfons  of  this  government  before  now, 
and  left  orders  for  the  military  to  give  every  aid  to  the  civil 
power.  But  the  fubjed  is  delicate,  and  nothing  is  done  in  it. 
We  may  therefore  have  internal  as  well  as  external  enemies  to 
contend  with. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c.  -G.  W, 


Bead* 


;3i  GENERAL  WASHINGTON'S 

SIR,  'Bead-barters^  New-York,  June  13,  1776* 

1   F  '.<e  honor  of  tranfmitting  to    Congrefs  a   letter 

ivhich  :.-:irce  by  exprefs  Jaft  night  from  general  Schuyler,  incloi- 
*ng  a  copy  of  a- letter  to  him  from  colonel  Kirkland.  I  have 
1'ktvvife  ine'Sofed  the  copy  of  one  directed  to  general  Putnam  or 
the  corBTR?.iiding  officer  at  New-York.  The  reprefentations 
contained  in  th^fc  letters  have  induced  me,  without  waiting  the 
determiiMt-Ou  of  Congrefs,  to  dire£t  general  Schuyler  immedi" 
stely  to  con.raence  a  treaty  with  the  Six -Nations,  and  to  engage 
th«?rn  in  our  intereft,  upon  the  ucit  terms  he  and  his  colleagues 
in  commifiion  can  procure  :  and  I  trull  the  urgency  of  the  oc- 
cafion  will  juitify  my  proceedings  tq  the  Congrefs  : — the  necef- 
iiry  for  decllion  and  difpatch  in  all  our  meafures,  in  my  opinion, 
becomes  every  day  more  and  more  apparent. 

The  expreft,  Mr.  Ben-net,  was  overtaken  at  Albany  by  .ge- 
neral Schuyler,  who  had  received  intelligence  at  Fort-George 
r'vit  a  confiderable  body  of  Mohawk  Indians  were  coming 
^Tvrn  the  Mohawk  river  under  the  conduft  of  fir  John  John- 
iton.  The  general's  extreme  hurry  would  not  allow  him  to 
-write  :  but  it  feems  his  intention  is  to  colled  at  Albany  a  fuffi- 
cient  force  to  oppofe  fir  John.  I  have  given  him  my  opinion 
that  colonel  Dayton's  regiment  fhould  be  employed  in  that  ier- 
^'ice,  and  to  fecure  the  poll  where  Fort-Stanvvix  formerly 
flood. 

In  confeqnence  of  an  information  that  feveral  merchants 
were  exporting  fait  pork  and  beef  from  this  place,  I  requefted 
the  commiiTary  to  make  application  to  the  provincial  Congrefs 
for  a  reftraint  to  be  laid  on  the  exportation  of  tliofe  articles,  as 
I  apprehended,  not  only  that  the  enemy  might  receive  fupplies 
by  the  capture  of  our  veflels,  but  that  our  people  might  fhortly 
experience  a  fcarcity.  The  provincial  Congrefs  have  accord- 
ingly made  a  refolution  (a  copy  of  which  is  inclofed)  to  flop 
the  exportation  for  fourteen  days.  They  expert  Congrefs  will 
in  the  mean  time  frame  fome  general  regulations  on  this  head. 
They  are  unwilling  (they  fay)  to  fubject  their  conllituents  to 
partial  reftraims. 

I  once  mentioned  to  Congrefs  that  I  thought  a  war-office  ex- 
tremely necelTary  ;  and  they  feenied  inclined  to  inititute  one  for 
our  army:  but  the  affair  feems  to.  have  been  fince  dropped. 
Give  me  leave  again  to  jnfift  on  the  utility  and  importance  of 
fuch  an  eftablifhment.  The  more  I  reflect  upon  the  fubjeft, 
.rhe  more  I  am  convinced  of  it*  neceffity,  and  that  affairs  can 
be  properly  conduced  •wli.ncut  it, 

"Tk 


OFFICIAL    LETTERS.  13  j 

'TJs  with  pleafure  I  receive  the  refolve  inclofed  in  your  fa- 
vor or  the  eleventh  inftant.  One,  confiderable  ground  of  difaf- 
feftion  iipt  the  army  is  thereby  removed. 

I  have  employed  perfons  ia  building  the  gondolas  and  -rafts 
which  the  Congrefs  thought  necefiary  for  the  defence  of  this 
place  j  and,  in  conjunction  with  the  pTovincial  Congrefs.,  have 
determined  to  fmk  chevaux-de-frile,  one  of  which  is  already 
begun. 

Lanij  with  the- utmoft  refpeft  and  efteem,  &c.  G.  W. 


"f*. -•£*!*  .«  J<£ 


SIR,  New-York,  jfune  14,   1776. 

I  Herewith  tranfmit  you  copies  of  a  letter  from  general 
Schuyler  and  its  feveralinclofures,  which  I  received  fince  I  had 
the  honor  of  addrefling  you  yefterday.  From  thefe  you  will 
learn  that  general  Thomas  died  the  fecond  inftant ;  and.the  ap- 
prehenfions  of  our  frontier 'friends  in  this  colony,  that  our  £a- 
vage  foes  are  meditating  an  attack  againft  them. 

I  muft  beg  leave  to  refer  you  to  a  paragraph  in  the  copy  of 
general  Schuyler's  letter  to  general  Putnam  or  the  command- 
ing officer  here,  inclofed  in  mine  of  the  thirteenth,  where  he 
requefts  a  fupply  of  clothing  to  be  fent  for  the  army  in  Canada. 
As  there  is  but  little  or  no  probability  of  getting  it  here,  I 
(hall  be  glad  to  know  whether  there  will  be  any  chance  of 
curing  it  in  Philadelphia  ',  and,  if  it  mould  be  fent  through  the 
hands  of  the  quarter-matter  here,  to  ^vhat  account  it  1*  to  be 
charged. 

I  was  laft  evening  favored  with  yours  of  the  eleventh iriftant^ 
and  hope  the  two  battalions,  which  Congrefs  have  ordered 
from  Philadelphia  for  the  defence  of  this  place,  will  come  pro- 
vided with  arms.  If  they  do  not,  they  will  be  of  no  fer,vicej 
as  there  are  more  troops  here  already  than  are  'aimedtfasrn-f  » 

From  general  Schuyler's  letter,  he  has  in-  view  the  taking 
poft  where  Fort-Stanwix  formerly  flood.  I  wrote  him,  I 
thought  it  prudent,  previous  to  that,  to  fecure  a  polt  lower 
down,  about  the  falls  below  the  German-Flats,  left  the  fava- 
ges  ihould  poffefs  themfelves  of  the  country,  and  prevent  fup- 
plies  of  men  and  provifions  that  may  be  necefiary  to  fend  there 
in  future.  He  fays  he  is  in  want  of  cannon  and  ammunition; 
but  has  expreffed  hirnfelf  fo  arnbiguoufly,  that  I  am  at  a  loft  to 
know  whether  he  meant  what  he  has  faid  as  an  application  or 
rxot, — this  being  the  only  intelligence  on  the  fubje6i,  and  the 
firit  mention  qf  his  want.  I  have  deiired  him  to  explain  the 

matter, 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON'S 

matter,  and,  in  his  future  requifitions  for  neceffimes,  to  be 
more  certain  and  explicit  as  to  quantity  and  quality.  In  the 
mean  time  I  (hall  fend  Kim  fome  intrenching  tools,  and  in- 
quire whether  there  are  any  cannon  that  can  be  fpared  from 
Hence. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c.  G.  W. 


Sis.,  New-Tor^,  June  16,  1776. 

I  DO  myfelf  the  honor  to  tranfmit  to  Congrefs  a  copy  of  a 
letter  covering  copies  of  other  papers,  which  I  received  yef- 
terday  evening  from  general  Sullivan.  The  intelligence  com- 
municated by  him  is  pleating  and  interefting,  and  fuch  as  muft 
afford  the  greatefl  fatisfaftion,  if  the  conduct  the  .Canadians 
have  difcovered  fince  his  arrival  among  them  is  ingenious  and 
iincere. 

General  Sullivan  mentions  his  having  given  commiflions  to 
fome  of  the  Canadians  as  a  mcafure  founded  in  neceflity,  and 
requefts  my  approbation  of  it.  But  not  confidering  myfelf  em- 
powered^to  fay  any  thing  upon  the  fubjeft,  it  may  not  be  im- 
proper for  Congrefs  to  give  him  their  opinion  in  this  inftance. 

1  have  alfo  inclofed  copies  of  General  Schuyler's  letters  re* 
ceived  at  the  fame  time.  They  contain  accounts  refpefting  the 
Indians,  variant  from  what  was  reported  by  Mr.  Kirkland,  but 
amounting  to  the  fame  thing, — the  probability  of  the  favages 
attacking  our  frontiers. 

By  latt  night's  poft  I  had  information  of  a  capture  made  by 
our  armed  veflfels,  of  one  of  the  tranfports  with  a  company  of 
Highlanders  on  board,  bound  to  Bofton.  The  inclofed  extract 
from  general  Ward's  litter  to  me  will  give  you  the  intelligence 
more  particularly. — There  are  accounts  in  the  city,  mention- 
ing other  valuable  prizes  :  but  as  general  Ward  has  faid  nothing 
of  them,  I  fear  they  want  authenticity. 

I  beg  leave  to  mention  that  a  further  fum  of  money  will  be 
wanted  for  our  military  cheft  by  the  time  it  can  be  fent.  The 
inclofed  note  fro'm  the  paymafter-general  fhews  the  neceflity 
for  it ;  and,  I  may  add,  beiides  his  eftimates  of  draughts  to 
be  made,  there  are  the  claims  of  the  eaflern  troops  at  Boflon, 
for  three  or  four  month's  pay,  not  included,  and  now  due. 

Colonel  Magaw  is  arrived  with  part  of  his  battalion  ;  aad  by 
wednefday  evening  the  whole,  botJi  of  his  and  colonel  Shee's 
will  be  here,  as  I  am  told. 

As  it  is  and  may  be  of  great  importance  to  have  a  communi* 

cation 


OFFICIAL     LETTERS.  135 

cation  with  the  Jerfeys  and  Long-Iiland,  i  have  had  feveral 
flat-bottomed  boats  built  for  the  purpofe,  and  have  thoughts  of 
getting  more  for  Pofaic  and  Hickinfac  rivers,  where  they  may 
be  equally  neceffary  for  transporting  our  army  or  part  of  it  oc- 
cafionally,  or  fuccours  coming  to  or  going  from  it. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,   &c.  G.  W. 


SIR,  New-Tor^  June  17,   1776. 

I  BEG  leave  to  inform  Congrefs  that  general  Woofter 
has  repaired  to  hea  d-quarters,  in  obedience  to  their  refolve 
tranfmitted  him  ;  and  mall  be  extremely  glad  if  they  will  give 
me  fuch  further  directions  about  him  as  they  may  conceive  ne- 
ceffary.  He  is  defirous  of  feeing  his  family  in  Connecticut,  as 
I  am  informed,  having  been  a  good  while  from  it. — I  fhall  wait 
their  inftru&ions  as  to  his  future  employment. 

I  am,  fir,  with  fentiments  of  much  eileera,  &c.  G.  W» 


SIR,  Newport,  June  20,   1776, 

I  AM  now  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  favors  o£ 
the  fourteenth  and  eighteenth  inftant,  and  the  interefting  re- 
folves  contained  in  them,  with  which  I  have  befen  honored. 
Thecfeveral  matters  recommended  to  my  attention  fliall  be  par- 
ticularly regarded,  and  the  directions  of  Congrefs  and  your 
requefts  complied  within  every  inflance,  as  far  as  in  my  power. 

The  inftituting  a  war-office  is  certainly  an  event  of  great  im- 
portance, and,  in  all  probability,  will  be  recorded  as  fuch  in 
the  hiftoric  page.  The  benefits  derived  from  it,  I  flatter  my- 
felf,  will  be  coniiderable,  though  the  plan  upon  which  it  is  firft 
formed  may  not  be  entirely  perfect.  This,  like  other  great 
v/orks,  in  its  firft  edition,  may  not  be  free  from  error  : — time 
\villdifcoveritsdefec1ts,  -and  experience  fuggeft  the  remedy, 
and  fuch  further  improvements  as  may  be  neceiTary  5  but  it  was 
.right  to  give  it  a  beginning,  in  my  opinion. 

The  recommendation  to  the  convention  of  New-Yorl;  for  re- 
ftraining  and  puniflung  difaffefted  perfons,  I  am  hopeful,  will 
be  attended  with  faiutary  confequences  j  and  the  prohibition  a- 
gainft  exporting  provifions  appears  to  have  been  a  meafure 
founded  in  found  policy,  left  proper  fupplies  mould  be  wanted, 
wherewith  to  fupply  our  armies. 

I  have  traufmiUed  general  Schuyler  the  refolves  about  the 

Indians, 


13*  GENERAL  WASHINGTON'S 

Indians,  and  the  others  on  which  he  is  to  a  61:  ;  and  ria^e  re-* 
([ueited  his  fiticl  attention  and  exertions  in  order  to  their  being 
carried  into  execution  with  all  pcffible  difpatch. 

tl  note  your  requeit  refpecYmg  Mr.  Hancock.  He  fhall  have 
fuch  direclidns  as  may  be 'neceffary  for  conducing  his  office  ; 
2nd  I  am  happy  he  will  have  To  early  a  remittance  for  paying 
the  troops  in  his  department. 

The  iilver  and  paper  money  defigned  for  Canada  will  be 
highly  ieiyiceable,  and  I  hope  will  be  the  means  of  re-eiia- 
blifhlng  oiir  Credit  there  in  fome  degree  with  the  Canadians, 
end  alfo  encourage  our  men  too,  who  have  complained  in  this 
inftance.  When  it  arrives,  I  will  fend  it  forward  under  a  pro- 
per guard* 

I  have  communicated  to  major-general  Gates  the  refclve  of 
Gongrefs  for  him  to  repair  to  Canada,  and  directed  him  to  view 
Point-au-fer,  that  a  fortrefs  may  be,  erefted  if  he  ihall  judge 
receffary.  He  is  preparing  Tor  bis  command,  and  in  a  few  days 
Will  take  his. departure  for  it.  I  would  fairt  hope  his  arrival 
there  will  give  our  affairs  a  complexion  different  from  what: 
they  rteve  worn  for  a  long  time  pail,  and  that  many  effential. 
benefits  will  refult  from  it. 

The  kind  attention  Congrefs  have  (liexvn  to  afford  the'  Com- 
mander-in-chief here  every  arTillance,  by  relblving  that  recom- 
mendatory letters  be  written  to  the  conventions  of  New-Jerfey, 
New-York,  and  aiTembly  of  Connecticut,  to  authorife  him  to 
call  in  the  militia  in  cafe  of  exigency,  claims  my  thankful  ac- 
knowledgments j  and,  I  truft,  if  carried  into  execution,  will 
produce  many  advantages  in  cafe  it  may  be  expedient  at  any- 
time to  call  in  early  reinforcements.  The  delays  incident  to 
the  ordinary  mode  may  frequently  render  thtir  aid  too  late,  and 
prove  exceedingly  injurious. 

I  this  evening  received  intelligence  of  the  nineteenth  inftant 
from  captain  Pond  of  the  armed  floop  Schuyler,  of  his  having 
taken,  about  fifty  miles  from  this,  on  the  fouth  fide  of  Long- 
jiland,  a  fnip  and  a  Jloop  bound  to  Sandy-Hcok.  Theihip, 
from  Glafgow,  with  a  company  of  the  forty-feccnd  regiment, 
had  been  taken  by  one  of  commodore  Hopkins's  fleet,  who  toot: 
the  fo'ldiers  out,  and  ordered  her  to  Rhode'-Ifland  ;  after  which, 
fLe  was  retaken  by  the  Cerberus,  and  pr.t  under  the  convoy  of 
the  iloop.  As  captain  Pond  informs  me,  there  were  five  con:- 
miffioned  officers,  two  ladies,  and  four  privates  on  board.  They 
are  not  yet  arrived  at  head-quaiters. — Inclofed  is  an  invoice  of 
what  they  have  on  board. 

General  WoaiUr  having  cxprcffcd  an  inclination  and  wiih  to 


O  f  ft  CIAL    LETTERS,  ttf 

Wait  on  Congrefs,  I  have  given  him  permiflion,  not  having  any 
dccalion  for  htm  here.  He  fet  but  this  mbrmrig. 

I  have  been  up  to  view  the  grounds  about  Kingfbndge,  and 
find  them  to  admit  of  feveral  places  well  calculated  for  de- 
fence ;  and,  efteeming  it  a  pafs  of  the  titmoft  importance,  have 
ordered  works  to  be  laid  out,  and  (hall  dire£t  part  of- the  two 
battalions  from  Pennfylvania  to  fet  about  the  execution  imme- 
diately, and  will  add  to  their  number  feveral  of  the  militia 
when  they  come  in,  to  expedite  them  with  all  poflible  difpatch. 
Their  confequence,  as  they  will  keep  open  the  communica- 
tion with  the  country,  requires  the  moil  fpeedy  completion  of? 
them. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  ckc.  G.  W* 

Jo    **&^  £tt,j     _•  _ 

SIR,  New-York,  June  21,   1775* 

I  WAS  this  morning  honored  with  your  favor  of  the 
nineteenth  inftant,  with  fiindry  fefblves  of  Congrefs,  which 
tame  to  hand  after  I  had  clofed  mine  of  the  twentieth.  I  fnall 
appoint  a  deputy  rnuiter-ijiafter-general  as  foon  as  1  can  fix  on. 
a  proper  perfon  for  the  office,  and  direct  him  immediately  to 
repair  to  Canada.  ,;,:  f5*'*. 

Mr.  Berinet*  the  bearer  of  this,  delivered  me  a  letter  to-day 
from  general  Schuyler,  inclbfing  the  proceedings  of  the  com- 
iniflioners  of  Indian  affairs,  at  a  meeting  at  Albany^  in  confe- 
quence of  the  resolution  df  Congrefs  (^as  they  fay)  which  I 
tranfmitted,  the  feventli  inftantv  Cor  engaging  the  Indians  in 
our  fervice.  The  gentlemen  appear  to  me  to  have  widely  mif- 
taken  the  views  of  Congrefs  in  this  inrtance,  and  to  have  form- 
ed a. plan  fbr  engaging  fuch  Indians  at>  were  not  in  contempla- 
tion. I  cannot  account  upon  what  principle  they  have  gone^ 
as  a  part  of  their  proceedings  (hews,  they  are  about  to  hold  a 
conference  with  the  Six-Nation's.  I  luppofe  they  efteemed 
what  they  have  done^  a  neceffaiy  meafure  :-! — a  copy  of  which. 
I  have  the  honor  to  Jflclofe  you; 

1  (liall  now  beg  leave  td  lay  before  Congrefs  a  proportion 
made  to  me  by  captain  Leary  ef  this  cityf  in  behalf  of  a  body 
uf  men  who  arc**defirous  of  being  employed  in  the  continental 
fervice^  as  a, troop  of  horfe,  and  at  the  fame  time  to  offer  my 
opinion  that  fuch  a  corps  may  be  extremely  ufeful  in  many  re- 
ipecls.  Iii  a  march,  they  may  be  of  the  utmoft  fervice  in,  re- 
connoitring the  enemy  and  gaining  intelligence,  and  have  it  in 
l^eir  power  ;o  reuder  many  iiiiportaui  vc^efitbi  Tie  terms  on 

"S  which 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON 

they  are  willing  to  engage  are  inclofed,  which  appear  to> 
me  moderate  and  reasonable. — I  am  alfo  informed  that  another 

B  company  might  readily  be  made  up,  and  moft  probably  upon 
the  fame  terms.  I  would  therefore  fubroit  the  propriety  and 
expediency  of  the  meafure  to  the  confederation  of  Congrefs,  and. 
wi'fh  their  opinion  whether  it  will  be  agreeable  to  them  that 
both  or  either  of  them  mould  be  formed  and  incorporated  in 
this  army,  in  manner  as  has  been  propofed  by  captain  Leary,. 
if  it  can  be  done. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c.  G.  W, 


SIR,  Head-^'arters,  *june  21,   1776. 

THIS  will  be  delivered  to  you  by  the  chevalier  de  Kir- 
movan  ^nd  monfieur  de  Vermonet.  They  are  French  gentle- 
men juft  arrived  in  this  place,  who  have  made  application  to 
nve  to  be  received  into  the  continental  fervice.  They  bring 
letters  to  Dr.  Franklin  and  fome  other  gentlemen  of  the  Con-, 
grefs.  I  fuppofe  it  will  better  appear  from  thofe  letters,  than 
frorn  any  information  I  can  give,  whether  it  will  be  proper  ta 
employ  them  in  the  capacity  they  are  deiirous  of. 

I  am,  fir,  with  the  greateft  efteem,  &c.  G,  W, 


SIR,  New-Tore,  *$une  23,   1776. 

I  Herewith  tranfmit  you  an  extract  of  a  letter  from  gene- 
ral Ward,  which  came  to  hand  by  laft  night's  poft,  containing 
the  agreeable  intelligence  of  their  having  obliged  the  king's 
Ihips  to  leave  Nantafket  ro*ad,  and  of  two  tranfports  more  be- 
ing taken  by  our  armed  veffels,  with  two  hundred  and  ten 
Highland  troops  on  board.  • 

I  fincerely  wifh  the  fame  fuccefs  had  attended  our  arms  in 
another  quarter: — but  it  has  not.  In  Canada,  the  fituation  of 
our  affairs  is  truly  alarming.  The  inclofed  copies  of  generals 
Schuyler,  Sullivan,  and  Arnold's  letters  will  inform  you  that 
general  Thompfon  has  met  with  a  repulfe  at  Three-Rivers,  and 
is  now  a  prifoner  in  the  hands  of  general  Burg  *ne,  who  (thefe 
accounts  fay)  is  arrived  with  a  conrklerable  army.  Nor  do  they 
feem  to  proroife  an  end  of  our  misfortunes  here  :•— it  is  greatly 
to  be  feared  that  the  next  advices  from  thence  will  be,  that  our 
mattered,  divided,  and  broken  army  (as  you  will  fee  by  the 
return)  have  been  obliged  to  abandon  the  country,  and  retreat, 


OFFICIAL    LETTERS.  139 

to  avoid  a  greater  calamity, — that  of  being  cut  off  or  becoming 
prisoners. — I  will  have  done  upon  the  fubjec~t,  and  leave  you  to 
draw  fuch  conclufions  .as  you  conceive,  from  the  .ft ate  of  fads, 
sre  moft  likely  to  refult ;  only  adding  ray  apprehenfions  that 
one  of  the  latter  events, — either  that  they  are  cut  off,  or  be- 
come  prifoners,— has  already  happened,  if  they  did  not  retreat 
while  they  had  an  opportunity.  General  Schuyler  and  general 
Arnold  ieeia torthink  it  extremely  probable  :  and  if  it  has  taken 
place,  it  will  not  be  eafy  to  defcribe  all  the  fatal  confequence§ 
that  may  flow  from  it.  At  leaft  our  utraoft  exertions  will  be 
neceffary,  to  prevent  the  advantages  they  have  gained  being 
turned  to  our  greater  misfortunes. — General  Gates  will  cer- 
tainly fetout  to-morrow,  and  would  have  gone  before  now,  had 
he  not  expe&ed  to  receive  fome  particular  inftru.clions  from 
Congrefs,  which  colonel  Braxton.  faid  he  imagined  would  be 
given,  and  tranfmitted  here. 

Inclofed  is  a  copy  of  a  letter  from  general  .Arnold,  refpecl:- 
ing  fome  of  the  Indian  tribes,  to  general  Schuyler,  and  of  4 
talk  had  at  Albany,  with  thirteen  of  the  Oneidas.  They  feem- 
ed  then  to  entertain  a  friendly  difpofition  towards  us^  which  I 
wifh  may  not  be  changed  by  the  misfortunes  we  have  fuftamed 
in  Canada. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c.  G.  W, 


SIR,  New-York,  June  27,   1776. 

!  I  THIS  morning  received  by  exprefs,  letters  from  gene- 
ral Schuyler  and  Arnold,  with  a  copy  of  one  to  general  Sulli- 
van frem  the  former,  and  alfo  of  others  to  general  Sullivan  j  of 
all  which  I  do  myfelf  the  honor  to  tranfmit  you  copies.  They 
will  give  you  a  further  account  of  the  melancholy  iituation  of  , 
our  affairs  'in  Canada,  and  fliew  that  there  is  nothing  left  to 
iave  our  army  there  but  evacuating  the  country. 

I  am  hopeful  general  Sullivan  would  retreat  from  Ifle-auxs 
noix  without  waiting  for  previous  orders  for  that  purpofe  j  as 
from  general  Schuyler's  and  Arnold's  letters,  it  is  much  to  be 
feared,  by  remaining  there  any  coniiderable  time,  his  retreat 
would  be  cut  off,  or  at  leaft  be  a  matter  of  extreme  difficulty. 
I  would  obferve  to  Congrefs  that  it  is  not  in  my  power  to  fand 
any  carpenters  from  hence  to  build  the  gondolas  and  galliet 
general  Arnold  mentions,  without  taking  them  from  a  work 
equally  neceffary  (if  not  more  fo)  here,  of  the  fame  kind  j— 
stnd  fobmit  it  to  them  whether  it  may  not  be  advifable  (as  it  is 

of 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON** 

of  great  importance  to  us  to  have  a  number  of  thofe  veffels  out 
the  lake,  to  prevent  the  enemy's  paffing)  to  withdraw  the  car- 
penters for  the  prefent  from  the  frigates  building  up  the  North 
river,  and  detach  them  immediately,  with  all  that  can  be  got 
3t  Philadelphia,  for  that  purpofe  and  carrying  on  thofe  here. 

I  have  the  pleafure  to  inform  you  of  another  capture  made 
by  our  armed  veilels,  of  a  tranfpqrt,  on  the  nineteenth  inrlant, 
with  a  company  of  Highland  grenadiers  on  board.  The  in- 
clofed  extract  of  a  letter  from  general  Ward,  by  laft  night's 
poft,  contains  the  particulars  5  to  which  I  beg  leave  to  refer 
you.  ,. 

I  have  been  honored  with  your  favors  of  the  twenty-firft  and 
twenty-fifth  inftant  in  due  order,  with  their  important  inc"lc~ 
fures,  to  which  I  ihall  particularly  attend. — 1  have  tranfmitted 
general  SchuyJer  a  copy  of  the  refolve  of  Congrefs  rcipecting 
the  jVlohickaa  and  Stoekbridge  Indians,  and  directed  him  to 
put  an  immediate  ftop  to  the  railing  the  two  companies/ 

The  quarter-mauer-general  has  been  called  upon  for  flopping 
the  tents  deiigned  for  MaHachufetts.'Bay,  and  ordered  to  for- 
ward thein  immediately.  He  means  to  write  to- Congrefs  up-? 
on  the  fubjedl,  and  hopes  hisconducl  wijl  not  appear  to  defervo 
their  repreheafion.  Of  this  they  will  judge  fiom  his  relation 
of  the  matter. 

Being  extremely  denrous  to  forward  the  intelligence  from 
Canada  tq  Congrefs,  well  knowing  their  anxiety  about  our  af- 
£air§  the,re?  I  muft  defer  writing  upon  fome  other  matters  I 
want  to  lay  before  them,  until  the  next  opportunity,  which  I 
jbope  will  be  to-morrow,  when  I  will  inform  them  fully  upon 
the  fubjeft  o|  rations,  having  defired  the  commiffary-general  to 
furnifh  me  with  fome  things  necelTary  in  th^at  iniUnce, 

J  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c?  G.  We. 


S:^.y  New-York,  June  27,   1776. 

UPON  information  that  major  *  *  *  was  travelling 
through  the  country  under  fufpickms  circumstances,  I  thought 
it  neceifary  to  have  him  fecured.  I  therefore  fent  after  him, 
be  was  taken  at  South-Amboy,  and  brought  a-p  to  New-York. 
Upon  examination  he  informed  me  that  he  came  from  New- 
Harnpfhire,  the  country  of  his  ufual  abode,  where  he  had  left 
his  family  j  and  pretended  he  was  deftined  to  Philadelphia  on 
fouf  nefs  with  Congrefs. 

py  his  own  confeffjon  he  had  croffed  Hudfon^s -river  at 


OFFICIAL    LETTERS. 

ISfew-Windfor,  and  was  taken  fo  far  out  of  his  proper  and  di- 
re&  route  to  Philadelphia,  this  confederation  added  to  the 
length  of  time  he  had  taken  to  perform  his  journey, — his  being 
iound  in  fo  fufpiciou»  a  place  as  Amboy,— -his  unneceiTary  ftay 
there  on  pretence  of  getting  fome  haggage  from  New- York, 
y.nd  an  expectation  of  receiving  money  from  a  perfon  here,  of 
bad  character,  and  in  no  circumftances  to  furniih  him  out  of  his 
<uwn  iiock, — the  major's  reputation,  and  his  being  a  half-pay 
officer, — ^haye  increafed  my  jealoulies  about  him. 

The  buiinels,  which  he  informs  me  he  has  with  Congrtfs,  i£ 
a  fecret  offer  of  his  fervices,  to  the  end  that,  in  cafe  it  mould 
be  rejected,  he  might  have  his  way  left  open  to  an  employment 
in  the  Eail  Indies,  to  which  he  is  afligned  :  and  in  that  cafe  he 
flatters  himfelf  he  will  obtain  leave  of  Congrefs  to  goto  Great- 
Britain. 

As  he  ha4  been  put  upon  his  parole  by  Congrefs,  I  thought 
it  would  be  improper  to  flay  his  progrefs  to  Philadelphia, 
xhould  he  be  in  fact  deftJned  thither.  I  therefore  fend  him 
forward,  but  (to  prevent  impoiition)  under  the  care  of  an  oiK- 
C'~r,  with  letters  found  upon  him,  which,  from  -their  tenor, 
£bem  calculated  to  recommend  him  to  Congrefs. — I  fubmit  k 
to  their  coniideration,  whether  it  would  not  be  dangerous  to. 
accept  of  the  offer  of  his  fervice. 

1  am,  fir,  with  greateil  reflect,  8cc,  G.  W. 


SIR,  New~Tork,  June  28,   1775.. 

IN  compliance  with  the  requeft  of  Congrefs  contained  in 
your  favor  of  the  twenty-fifth  inllant,  andmypromife  of  yefter- 
ihty,  I  do  myfelf  the  honor  to  inform  you  that  the  coft  of  a  ra- 
tion, according  to  the  commiiTary-general's  eftimate,  from  the 
iirft  of  July  to  the  tirfi  of  December,  will  be  from  eight-pence 
to  eight-pence  halfpenny,  York  currency. 

Having  difcharged  the  obligation  I  was  under  in  this  in-- 
fiance,  and  finding  that  many  applications  have  been  made  for 
vicbaalling  the  flying  camp,  I  would,  with  all  potlible  defer- " 
ence,  with  Congrefs  to  coniider  the  matter  well  before  they 
come  to  any  determination  upon  it,  Wh,o  the  gentlemen  art-, 
that  have  made  offers  upon  this  occaiion,  I  know  not  :  conie- 
quently  my  objeclions  to  their  appointment  cannot  proceed 
irom  peribnal  diilike  ^  nor  have  I  it  in  view  to  ferve  Mr. 
Trumbull  the  commiffary-general,  by  withing  him  to  hare  the 
of  the  whole  '{applies  for  his  emolument  5  becaufe 

whatever 


ir'42  GENERAL  WASHINGTON1*."  * 

whatever  rations  are  taken  from  him  fave  him  the  trouble  of 
f applying  pro  vi  lions  to  the  amount,  without  di  mini  thing  his 
pay, — that  being  fixed  and  certain  : — but  what  influences  me  is 
a  regard  to  the  public  good.  I  am  morally  certain,  if  the  bu~ 
iinefs  is  taken  out  of  Mr-.  Trumbull's  hands  and  put  into  ano- 
ther's, that  it  may,  and  will  in  all  probability,  be  attended  with 
great  and  many  inconveniences.  It  is  likely,  during  the  conti- 
nuance of  the  war  between  us  and  Great- Britain,  that  the  array 
here,  or  part  of  it,  arrd  the  troops  compoling  the  flying  camp, 
xvill  be  frequently  joined,  and  under  the  neceflity  of  affording 
each  other  mutual  aid.  If  this  event  is  probable  (and  moft 
certainly  it  is),  the  fame  confuiion  and  diforder  will  refult  from 
having  two  commiflaries,  or  one  commiiTary  and  one  contractor 
in  the  fame  army  in  the  fame  department,  as  did  between  Mr. 
Trumbull  and  Mr.  Livingfton  on  the  coming  of  the  former  to 
New-York.  I  cannot  difcriminate  the  two  cafes  j  and  not 
forefeeing  that  any  good  confequences  will  flow  from  the  mea- 
fiire,  but  that  many  bad  ones  will, — fuch  as  clalhing  of  inter- 
efts,, — a  contention  for  ftores,  carriages, , — and  many  other  caufes 
that  might  be  mentioned  if  hurry  of  buiinefs  would  permit,-— 
I  confers  I  cannot  perceive  the  propriety  of  appointing  a  differ- 
ent psrfon,  or  any  but  the  commiiTary. 

I  would  alfo  add,  that  few  armies,  if  any,  have  been  better* 
fupplied  than  the  troops  under  Mr.  Trumbull's  care  in  this 
Inftance  j  which,  I  fhould  fuppofe,  ought  to  have  confiderable 
"weight,  efpeeially  as  \ve  have  ftrong  reafons  to  believe  that  a 
large  (hare  of  the  misfortunes  our  arms  have  fuftained  in  Cana- 
da, fprang  from  a  want  of  proper  and  neceffary  fupplies  of  pro- 
visions. 

Mr.  Trumbull  too  (I  am  informed)  has  already  made  provi- 
iion  in  New-Jerfey  for  the  flying  camp  which  will  be  Rationed 
there,  and  employed  proper  perfons  in  that  colony  to  tranfadl 
the  buiinefs  incident  to  his  department,  in  obedience  to  my 
orders,  and  m  full  confidence  that  it  was  to  come  under  his 
management. 

My  great  defire  to  fee  the  affairs  of  this  important  poft,  on 
u-nich  fo  much  depends,  go  on  in  an  eafy,  fmooth  and  unin- 
terupted  courfe,  has  led  me  to  fay  thus  much  upon  the  fubjecl, 
and  will,  I  hope  (if  I  am  unhappy  enough  to  differ  in  opinion 
with  Congrefs),  plead  my  excufe  for  the  liberty  J  have  taken. 

I  would  alfo  beg  leave  to  mention  to  Congrefs  the  neceflity- 
there  is  of  fome  new  regulations  being  entered  into,  refpe&ing 
the  chaplains  of  this  army.  They  will  remember  that  appli- 
cations were  made  to  increafe  their  j  ays  .which  was  Conceived 

too 


O  F  F  I  C  I  A  L    L  E  T  T  E  R  S. 

too  low  for  their  fupport  j  and  that  it  was  propofed  (if  it  could 
not  be  done  for  the  whole)  that  the  number  mould  be  leffened, 
and  one  be  appointed  to  two  regiments,  with  an  additional  al- 
lowance. This  latter  expedient  was  adopted,  and,  while  the 
army  continued  altogether  at  one  encampment,  anfwered  well, 
or  at  leaft  did  not  produce  many  inconveniences.  ^  Eut  the  ar- 
my now  being  differently  circumftanced  from  what  it  then  was, 
— part  here,  part  at  Bofton,  and  a  third  part  detached  to  Ca- 
nada,—has  introduced  much  cbnfufion  and  diforder  in  this  in- 
ftance  \  nor  do  I  know  how  it  is  poffible  to  remedy  the  evil, 
but  by  affixing  one  to  each  regiment,  with  falaries  competent 
to  their  fupport.  No  fhifting,  no  change  from  one  regiment  to 
another  can  anfwer  the  purpofe  j  and  in  many  cafes  it  could 
never  be  done  though  the  regiments  mould  confent, — as  where 
detachments  are  compofed  of  unequal  numbers,  or  ordered" 
from  different  ports.  Many  more  inconveniencies  might  be 
pointed  out  :  but  thefe,  it  is  prefumed,  will  fufficiently  (haw 
the  defect  of  the  prefent  eftabliftiment,  and  the  propriecy  of  ai\ 
alteration.  What  that  alteration  (hall  be,  Congrefs  will  pleaf« 
to  determine. 

Congrefs,  I  doubt  not,  will  have  heard  of  the  plot  that  was 
forming  among  many  difaffected  perfons  in  this  city  and  go- 
vernment for  aiding  the  king's  troops  upon  their  arrival.  No 
regular  plan  feems  to  have  been  digefted  :  but  feveral  perfons 
have  been  enlifted,  ami  fworn  to  join  them.  The  matter,  I  am 
in  hopes,  by  a  timely  difcovery,  will  be  fupprefied  and  put  a 
ftop  to.  Many  citizens  and  others,  among  whom  is  the  mayor^ 
are  now  in  confinement.  The  matter  has  been  traced  up  to 
governor  Tryon  j  and  the  mayor  appears  to  have  been  a  princi- 
pal agent,  or  go-between  him  and  the  perfons  concerned  in  it* 
The  plot  has  been  communicated  to  fome  of  the  array,  and 
part  of  my  guard  engaged  in  it.  T  *  *  *  H  *  *  *,  one  of 
them,  has  been  tried,  and,  by  the  unanimous  opinion  of  a  court- 
martial,  is  fentenced  to  die, — having  enlifted  himfelf,  and  en- 
gaged others.  The  fentence,  by  the  advice  of  the  whole 
council  of  general  officers,  will  be  put  in  execution  to-day  at 
eleven  o'clock.  The  others  are  not  tried,  I  am  hopeful  thu 
example  will  produce  many  falutary  confequences,  and  deter  o- 
thers  from  entering  into  the  like  traitorous  practices'. 

The  inclofcd  copy  of  a  refolve   of  the  provincial  Congrefs 

will  (hew   that  fome   of  the   difaffecled   on  Long-Ifland    have 

taken  up   arras. — i    have,    agreeable   to  their   requeft,    fe-ht   a 

party  after  them,  but  have  nut  as  yet  been  able  to  apprehend 

-       -  them, 


*44  GENERAL  \ 

them,— having  concealed  themfelves  in  different  woods  a^i'l 
moraffes. 

General  Gates  fet  ovit  on  tuefday  with  -a  fine  wind  which 
"has  been  fair  ev^r  ii'nCe^  and  would  foon  arrive  at  Albany. 

I  this  moment  received  a  letter  from  lieutenant  Davifon,^ 
ef  the  Schuyler  armed  iloop,  a  Copy  of  which  I  havt  ihc'loftd  j 
to  which  I  beg  leave  to  refer  you  for  t.he  intelligence  commu- 
nicated by  him. 

I  could  wi?n  general  Howe  and  his  armament  not  is»  arrive 
yet,  as  not  moire  thari  a  thoufand  militia  have  yet  come  s'u,  and 
our  whole  force  (including  the  troops  at  all  the  detached  poll.*, 
and  on  board  the  armed  veiTels,  which  are  comprehended  iu 
our  returns)  is  but  frriall  arid  inconsiderable,  when  compared 
with  the  exteniive  lines  they  are  to  defend,  and  (noil  proba- 
bly) the  army  that  he  brings.  I  have  no  further  intelligence 
about  him  than  what  the- lieutenant  mentions:  but  it  is -ex- 
tremely probable  his  accounts  and  cahjec~hir.es -are  true. 

I  have  the  horior  to  be,  &.£.  G.  W0 

P.  S.  I  have  inclo{ed  a  general  return  :— »and  it  may  be  cer- 
t, -.inly  depended  on>  that  general  Howe  and  fleet  have  failed 
from  Halifax.  Some  of  the  men,  on  board  the  prizes  menti- 
oned in  the  lieutenants  letter,  were  on  board  the  Greyhound, 
and  law  general  Howe. 


Sift,'  hrew-Tor£,   'June  29,    1.7  ;v. 

I  x#  AS  lafi  night  lidriored  with  your  favor  of  the  twenfy- 
fiy_th  inftant,  and,  agreeable  to  your  requeit,  mail  pay  proper 
attention  to  the  refolves  it  irielofed, 

I  obferve  the  augmentation  Congrefs  have  refolved  to  make 
to  the  forces  deilined  to  the  northern  department,  and  the 
bounty  be  allowed  fuch  foldiers  as  will  enlift  for  three  year,. 
I  hope  many  good  confequences  will  refult  from  thefe  mea- 
fures  -,  and  that,  from  the  latter,  a  confiderable  number  of  men 
m'dy  be  induced  to  engage  in  the  fervice. 

I  fliould  eileera  myfelf  extremely  happy  to  afFoid  the  lenit 
afTiftance  to  the  Canada  department  in  compliance  with  the  de- 
fire  of  Congrefs  and  your  requifiticn,  were  it  in  my  power  :  but 
it  is- not.  The  return  which  j  transmitted  yciterday  will  but 
too  well  convince  Congrefs  of  ray  incapacity  in  this  inftance, 
3nd  point  out  to  them  that  the  force  I  now  have  is  trifling, 
iqonfidering  the  many  and  important  potts  that  are  neceiUu'y, 
^ad  niuil.be  fuoported,,  if  poilir^e.  But  few  militia  have  yet 


OFFICIAL   LETTERS,          ^ 

?i,     ::..;;**•    I'-*'  '•"  '  -    ••   '•>    \ 

come  in>  the  whole  being  about  twelve  hundred,  including  the 
two  battalions  of  this  city,  and  one  company  from  the  Jerfeys. 
I  wi(h  the  delay  may  not  be  attended  with  difagreeable  confe~ 
quences,  and  their  aid  may  not  come  too  late,  or  when  it  may 
'not  be  wanted.  I  have  wrote, — 1  have  done  every  thing  1 
could,  to  call  them  in  :  but  they  have  not  come,  though  I  am. 
told  that  they  are  generally  willing. 

The  accounts  communicated  yefterday  through  lieutenant 
Davifon's  letter  are  partly  confirmed,  and>  I  dare  fay,  will  turn 
out  to  be  true  on  the  whole.  For  two  or  three  days  paft, 
three  or  four  ihips  have  been  dropping  in  ;  and  I  juft  now  re- 
ceived an  exprefs  from  an  officer  appointed  to  keep  a  look-out 
on  Staten-Ifland,  that  forty-five  arrived  at  the  Hook  to-day  i 
— fome  fay  more  j — and  I  luppofe  the  whole  fleet  will.be  in^ 
within  a  day  or  two.  I  am  hopeful,  before  they  are  prepared 
to  attack,  that  I  (hall  get  fome  reinforcements. — Be  this  as  it 
may,  I  fhall  attempt  to  make  the  belt  difpofition  I  can  o£ 
our  troops,  in  order  to  give  them  a  proper  reception,  and  to 
prevent  the  ruin  and  deftruftiou  they  are  meditating  againil  us* 

As  foon  as  the  exprefs  arrived  lait  night,  I  fent  the  letters 
for  the  northern  colonies,  to  the  quarter-mafter-general,  with 
orders  to  forward  them  immediately. 

When  monfieur  Wiebert  comes — (I  have  not  feen  him  yet) 
— I  fhall  employ  him  as  Congrefs  have  directed.  The  terms 
upon  which  he  offers  his  fervice  feem  to  promife  fomething 
from  him.  I  with  he  may  anfwer,  and  be  fkilled  in  the  bufinefs 
he  fays  he  is  acquainted  with. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c.  G.  W, 


SIR,  New-Tor£t  "June  30,  1776. 

I  HAD  the  pleafure  of  receiving  your  favor  of  the  twen- 
ty-ninth, early  this  morning,  with  which  you  have  been  pleafed. 
to  honor  me,  together  with  the  refolves  for  a  further  augmen- 
tation of  our  army. 

The  battalion  of  Germans,  which  Congrefs  have  ordered  to 
be  raited,  will  be  a  corps  of  much  farvice  :  and  I  am  hopeful 
that  fuch  perfons  will  be  appointed  officers^  as  will  complete; 
their  enlistments  with  all  poffible  expedition. 

I  (hall  communicate  to  colonel  Stevenfon  and  one  of  his. 
field  officers  what  you  have  requeued,  and  direct  them  to  repair 
immediately  to  Philadelphia.  It  is  an  unlucky  circumilance 
that  the  term  of  cnliilinent  of  thefe  three  companies,  and  of  the 

T  rifle 


146  GENERAL  WASHINGTON'S 

rifle  battalion,  fhould  expire  at  this  time,  when  a  hot  campaign 
is,  in  all  probability,  about  to  commence. 

Canada,  it  is  certain,  would  have  b.een  an  important  acqinfi- 
tion,  and  well  worth  the  e"xpenfes  incurred  in  the  purfuit  of  it. 
-But  as  we  could  not  reduce  it  to  our  poffeifion,  the  retreat  6f 
our  krrny  with  fo  little  lofs,  under  fuch  a  variety  of  diflreffes, 
muft  be  efteemed  a  moft  fortunate  event.  It  is  true,  the  ac- 
counts we  have  received,  do  not  fully  authorife  us  to  fay  that 
we  have  fuftained  no  lofs  :  but  they  hold  forth  a  probable 
ground  for  fuch  conclusion.- — I  am  anxious  to  hear  It  confirm 
ed. 

J  have  the  honor  of  transmitting  you  an  extract  of  a  letter 
ireceived  laft  night  from  general  Ward.— -If  the  fcheme  the 
privateers  had  in  view,  and  the  meafures  he  had  planned,  have 
ieen  carried  into  execution,  the  Highlaad  corps  will  be  toler- 
ably well  difpofed  of  :  but  I  fear  the  fortunate  event  has  not 
taken  place. 

In  general  WarcTs  letter,  was  inclofed  one  from  lieutenant- 
colonel  Campbell,  who  was  made  priibner  with  the  Highland 
troops.  I  have  transmitted  you  a  copy.  This  will  give  you  a 
full  and  exa&  account  of  the  number  of  prifoners  that  were  on 
board  the  four  tranfports  ;  and  will  prove,  beyond  a  poffibility 
of  doubt,  that  the  evacuation  of  Boflon  by  the  Britifh  troops 
Tvas  a  matter  neither  known  nor  expected  when  he  received  his 
orders.  Indeed  fo  many  fa£Vs  had  concurred  before  to  fettle 
the  matter,  that  no  additional  proofs  were  rieceiTary. 

When  I  had  the  honor  of  addreflfing  you  yesterday,  I  had 
•only  been  informed  of  the  arrival  of  forty-five  of  the  fleet  in 
the  morning.  Since  that,  I  have  received  authentic  intelli- 
gence from  fundry  perfons  (among  them,  from  general  Greene) 
that  a  hundred  and  ten  fail  came  in  before  night,  that  were 
counted,  and  that  more  were  feen  about  dufk  in  the  offing — 
\  have  no  doubt  but  the  whole  that  failed  from  Halifax  are 
now  at  the  Hook. 

Juft  as  I  was  about  to  conclude  my  letter,  I  received  on« 
from  a  gentleman  upon  the  fubjecl:  of  calling  the  five  regi- 
ments from  Bofton  to  the  defence  of  Canada  or  New-York,, 
and  to  have  militia  raifed  in  their  lieu. — I  have  fent  you  a  co 
>py,  and  fl\all  only  obferve,  that  I  know  the  author  well  :  hb 
hand-writing  is  quite  familiar  to  the  :  he  is  a  member  of  the 
general  court,  very  fenfible,  of  grer.t  influence,  and  a  warm  and 
zealous  friend  to  the  caufe  of  America.— -The  expedient  pr'o- 
pofed  by  him  is  fubmitted  to  Congrcfs. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &.o,  G.  W-0 

New- 


OFFICIAL    LETT  £.&.  S.  x# 

SIR,  New-Tort,  July  3,  1776'. 

SINCE  I  had  the  honor  of  addrefling  you,  and  on  the 
-cUy,  feyeral  Ihips  more  arrived  within  the  Hook,  making 
the  number  that  came  in  then  a  hundred  and  ten  5  and  there 
remains  no  doubt  of  the  whole  of  the  fleet  from  Halifax  being 
now  here.  Yefterday  evening  fifty  of  them  came  up  the  bay, 
and  anchored  on  the  Stateo-Ifland  fide.  Their  views  I-canno.t 
precifely  deterininte.  j  but  am  extremely  apprehenlive,  as  part 
of  them  only  came,  that  they  mean  to  furround  the  ifiand,  and 
fecure  the  ftock  upon  it.  I  had  consulted  with  a  committe  of 
the  provincial  Congrefs  upon  the  fubjecl,  before  tbc  arrival  of 
the  fleet  j  and  they  appointed  a  perrfon  to  fuperintend  the  bufi- 
nefs,  and  to  drive  the  ftock  off.  I  alfo  wrote  to  brigadier-ge- 
neral Heard,  and  directed  him  to  the  meafure,  left  it  might  be 
neglected  ;  but  am  fearful  it  has  not  been  effected. 
^  Our  reinforcement  of  militia  is  yet  but  fmall : — I  cannot  af- 
•;ertain  the  amount,  not  having  got  a  return.  However,  I 
trufr,  if  the  enemy  make  an  attack,  they  will  meet  with  a  :e- 
pulfe,  as  I  have  the  pleafure  to  inform  you  that  an  agreeable 
fpirit  and  willingnefs  for  action  feem  to  animate  and  pervade 
the  whole  of  pur  troops. 

As   it   is   difficult  to  determine  what  objects  the  enemy  may 

"have  in  contemplation,  and  whether  they  may  not  detach  fome 
part  of  their  force  to  Amboy,  and  to  ravage  that  part  of  the 

^  country,  if  not  extend. their  views  farther,  I  fubmit  it  to  Con- 
grefs whether  it  may  not  be  expedient  for  them  to  repeat  and 
urefs  home  their  requefts  to  the  different  governments  that'are 
to  provide  men  for  the  flying  camp,  to  furnifh  their  quotas 
with  all  poflible  difpatch.  It  is  a  matter  of  great  importance, 
and  will  be  of  ferious  confequence,  to  have  the  camp  eftublifh- 
cd  in  cafe  the  enemy  mould  be  able  to  poffefs  themfelves  of 
this  river,  and  cut  off  the  fupplies  of  troops  that  might  be  ne- 
ceffary  on  certain  emergencies  to  be  fent  from  hence. 

I  muft  entreat  your  attention  to  an  application  I  made  fome 
time  ago,  for  Hints.  We  are  extremely  deficient  in  this  necef- 
fary  article,  and  (hall  be  greatly  diftreffed  if  we  cannot  obtain 
a  fupply.  Of  lead  we  have  a  fufficient  quantity  for  the  whole 
campaign,  taken  off  the  houfes  here. 

Eftimating  it  of  infinite  advantage  to  prevent  the  enemy 
from  getting  freih  provifions,  and  horfes  for  their  waggons,  ar- 

.  tillery,  &c.  I  gave  orders  to  a  party  of  pur  men  on  Staten-lf- 
Jand  (fince  writing  to  general  Heard)  to  drive  the  ftock  off, 

without  waiting  for  the  affiftance  or  direction  of  the  commit- 

0  ... 


tees 


148  GENERAL   WASHINGTON^ 

tees  there,  left  their  flow  mode  of  tranfa6Hng  bulinefs  might 
produce  too  much  cielay  j — «-and  have  fent  tijis  morning  to  know 
what  they  have  done. — I  am  this  morning  informed  by  a  gen- 
tleman, that  the  committee  of  Elizabeth-town  fent  their  com- 
pany x>f  light-horfe  on  mcuday  to  eft'ecl:  it,  and  that  fome  of 
their  militia  were  to  give  their  aid  yefterday.  He  adds  that  he 
•was  credibly  told  laft  night  by  a.  party  of  the  militia  coming  to 
this  place,  that  yefterday  they  f:iw  a  good  deal  of  ilock  driving 
ofF  the  ifland,  and  eroding  to  the  Jerieys. — If  the  bufinefs  is 
pot  executed  before  now,  it  will  be  impouible  to  do  it. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c.  G.  W. 


SIR,  New-York,  July  4,   1776. 

THIS  will  be  handed  you  by  colonel  Stevenfon,  whom  I 
liave  ordered,  with  the  captains  of  the  two  rifle  companies  from 
Maryland,  to  xvait  on  Ccngrefs.  They  will  point  out  fuch 
raeaiures  as  they  conceive  moil  likely  to  advance  the  railing  of 
the  new  rifle  battalion,  and  the  perfons  they  think  worthy  of 
promotion,  that  have  ferved  in  the  three  companies  here,  agree- 
able to  the  inclofed  lift,  J  am  not  acquainted  with  them  my- 
felf,  but  from  their  report  and  re-commendation,  which  I"  doubt 
not  to  be  juft  j  and  that,  if  Congrels  will  pleafe  to  inquire  of 
them,  they  will  mention  other  proper  peifoiis  for  officers. 

Only  about  forty  of  the  three  old  companies  have  re-enlift- 
ed^  whom,  I  fhall  form  into  one  for  the  prefent,  and  place  under 
an  officer  or  two,  till  a  further  and  complete  arrangmeiit  is 
snade  of  the  whole  battalion. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,   &c.  G.  W, 


SIR,  Sew-Torl?,  July  4» 

WHEN  I  had  the  honor  to  addrefs  you  on  the  thirtieth 
ultimo,  I  tranfmitted  a  copy  of  a  ktter  I  had  received  from  a 
gentleman,  a  member  of  the  honorable  general  court  \_of  Maf~ 
Jachufetts^  fuggefting  tbe  improbability  of  fuccours  coming 
from  therjce  in  any  reafonable  time,  either  for  the  defence'  of 
this  place,  or  to  reinforce  our  troops  engaged  in  the  Canada 
expedition.  I  am  forry  to  inform  you,  that  from  a  variety  of 
Intelligence,  his  apprehenfions  appear  to  be  juft,  and  to  be  fully 
confirmed:  nor  have  I  reafon  to  expecl  but  that  the  fupplies 
"i'i'QOT  the  other  two  governments,  Connefticut  and  New-Hawip- 

ibire, 


OFFICIAL    LETTERS.  149 

fhire,  will  be  extremely  flow  and  greatly  deficient  in  num- 
ber, 

As  it  now  feems  beyond  queftion,  and  clear  to  demonftrati- 
on,  that  the  enemy  mean  to  dired:  their  operations  and  bend 
their  moft  vigorous  efforts  againft  this  colony,  and  will  attempt 
to  unite  their  two  armies,  that  under  general  Burgoyne,  and 
the  one  arrived  here, — I  cannot  but  think  the  expedient  pro- 
poied  by  that  gentleman  is  exceedingly  juft  j  and  that  the  con- 
tinental regiments,  now  in  the  Maffachufetts-Bay,  fhould  be 
immediately  called  from  thence,  -and  be  employed  where  there 
is  the  itrongeft  reafon  to  believe  their  aid  will  be  indifpeufably 
neceffary.  The  expediency  of  the  meafure  I  (hall  fubmit  to 
the  confideration  of  Congrefs,  and  will  only  oblerve,  as  my 
opinion,  that  there  is  not  the  moft  diftant  piofpecl  of  an  at- 
tempt being  made,  where  they  now  are,  by  the  enemy  j  and, 
if  there  ihould,  that  the  militia  th?.t  can  be  affembled  upon  the 
fhprtefl  notice  will  be  more  than  equal  to  repel  it.  They  are 
well  armed,  refolute,  and  determined,  and  will  inftantly  op- 
pofe  any  invafion  that  may  be  made  in  their  own  colony. 

I  (hall  alfo  take  the  liberty  again  to  requeft  Congrefs  to  in- 
tereft  themfelves  in  having  the  militia  raifed,  and  forwarded 
with  all  poffible  expedition,  as  fait  as  any  confiderable  number 
of  them  can  be  collected,  that  are  to  compofe  the  flying  camp. 
This  I  mentioned  in  my  letter  yellerday,  but  think  proper  to 
repeat  it,  being  more  and  more  convinced  of  the  neceffity. 
The  camp  will  be  in  the  neighborhood  of  Amboy  :  and  I  lhc.ll 
be  glad  that  the  conventions,  or  committees  of  lafety,  of  thofe 
governments  from  whence  they  come,  may  be  requeited  to  give 
me  previous  notice  of  their  marching,  that  I  may  form  iome 
plan,  and  direct  proviiion  to  be  made  for  their  reception. 

The  difaffedion  of  the  people  at  that  place  and  others  not  far 
diftant,  is  exceedingly  great  j  and,  unleis  it  is  checked  and 
overawed,  it  may  become  more  general,  and  be  very  alarming. 
The  arrival  of  the  enemy  will  encourage  it.  They,  or  at  leait 
a  part  of  them,  are  already  landed  on  Staten-liland  which  is 
quite  contiguous  ;  and  about  four  thoufand  were  marching  a- 
bout  it  yefterday.  as  I  have  been  advifed,  and  are  leaving  no 
arts  un-efiayed  to  gain  the  inhabitants  to  their  fide,  who  ieem 
but  too  favorably  dilpofcd.  Jt  is  not.  unlikely  that  in  a  litth 
time  they  may  attempt  to  crofs  to  the  Jeriey  iide,  and  induce 
many  to  join  them  either  from  motives  of  intereit  or  fear,  un- 
lefs  there  is  a  force  to  oppofe  them. 

As  we  ai e  fully  convinced  that  the  minifterial  army  we  mail 
hiH'c  to  oppofe  this  campaign,  will  be  great  and  numerous,  and 

well 


j5s  GENERAL  WASHINGTON'* 

well  know  that  the  utmoft  induftry  will  be  ufed,  as  it  already 
lias  been,  to  excite  the  favages  and  every  body  of  people  19 
arms  agrdnft  us  whom  they  can  influence,  it  certainly  behoves 
us  to  ftrairt  every  nerve  to  conteracl  their  defigns.  I  would 
therefore  fubmit  it  to  Congrefs  whether,  (efpecially  as  ,o.uf 
fchemes,  for  employing  the  weilern  Indians  do  not  feern  to  be 
attended  with  any  great  prqfpeft  of  fuccefs.  from  general  Schu» 
ler's  accounts)  it  may  not  be  advifable  to  take  meafures  to  en~ 
gage  thofe  of  the  eaftward,  the  St.  John's,  Nova-Scotia,  Pe- 
r.obfcot,  &c.  in  our  favor.  I  have  been  told  that  feveral  might 
b-  got,  perhaps  five  or  fix  hundred  or  more,  readily  to  join  us. 
If  they  can,  I  mould  imagine  it  ought  to  be  done.  It  willpre.- 
yent  our  enemies  from  fecuring  their  friendmip  j  and  further 
they  will  be  of  infinite  fervice  in  annoying  and  harrafiing  them, 
fhould  they  ever  attempt  to  penetrate  the  country.  Congrefs 
will  be  pleafed  to  confider  the  meafure :  and  if  they  determine 
to  adopt  it,  I  conceive  it  will  be  neceffary  to  authorife  and  re- 
queft  the  general  court  of  the  Mafiachufetts-Bay  to  carry  it  in- 
to execution.  Their  fituation  and  advantages  will  enable  them 
to  negotiate  a  treaty  and  an  alliance  better  than  it  can  be  done 
by  any  perfons  dfe. 

I  have  been  honored  with  your  two  favors  of  the  fir  ft  inftant; 
and,  agreeable  to  the  wiihes  of  Congrefs,  (hall  put  monfieur 
Wiebert  in  the  beft  place  I  can  to  prove  his  abilities  in  the  art 
he  profeffes.  J  (hall  fend  him  up  immediately  to  the  works  e- 
redling  towards  Kinfbridge,  under  the  direction  of  general  Mi£- 
flin,  whom  I  ihall  requeft  to  employ  him. 

I  this  moment  received  a  letter  from  general  Greene,  an  ex- 
tract of  which  I  have  inclofed.  The  intelligence  it  contains  is 
of  the  moft  important  nature,  and  evinces  the  neceiYity  of  the 
moll  fpirited  and  vigorous  exertions  on  our  part. 

The  expectation  of  the  fleet  under  admiral  Howe  is  certainly 
the  reafon  the  army  already  come  have  not  begun  their  hoftile 
operations.  When  that  arrives,  we  may  look  for  the  molt  in- 
tere fling  events,  and  fuch  as,  in  all  probability,  will  have  con- 
fiderable  weight  in  the  prefent  conteil.  It  behoves  us  to  be 
prepared  in  the  beft  manner  :  and  I  fubmit  it  again  to  Congrefs, 
whether  the  accounts  given  by  their  prifoners  do  not  (lie w  the 
propriety  of  calling  the  feveral  continental  regiments  from  the 
Mafiachufetts  government,  raifing  the  flying  camp  with  all  pofft- 
ble.difpatch,  and  engaging  the  eallern  Indians. 

July  5. General  Mercer  arrived  here  on  tuefday,  and 

the  next  morning  was  ordered  to  Paulus-Hook,  to  make  fome 
arrangements  of  the  militia  as  they  came  in,  and  the  beft  dif- 

pofttoon 


.-.'   • 

OFFICIAL    LETTERS. 

'••wt1-- 

pbfition  lie  could  to  prevent  the  enemy  crofting  from  Staten- 
Ifland,  if  they  mould  have  any  fuch  views.  The  diftreffed  iitu- 
ation  of  the  inhabitants  of  Elizabeth-town  and  Newark  has 
iince  induced  me,  upon  their  application,  to  give  up  all  the? 
militia  from  the  Jerfeys,  except  thofe  engaged  for  fix  months. 
I  am  hopeful  they  will  be  able  to  repel  any  incurfions  that  may 
be  attempted.  Generals  Mercer  arid  Livingfton  are  concert- 
ing plans  for  that  purpofe.  By  a  letter  from  the  latter  laft 
night,  I  am  informed  the  enemy  are  throwing  up  fmall  works 
at  all  the  paffes  on  the  north  fide  of  S'taten-lSand,  which  it  is 
probable  they  siean  to  fecure. 

None  of  the  Connecticut  militia  are  yet  arrived  :  fo  that  the 
t^ihforcement  we  have  received  is  very  inconliderable. 

A  letter  from  general  Schuyler,  with  fundry  inclofures  (of 
which  No.  i,  2,  and  3,  are  exact  copies),  this  moment  came 
to  hand,  and  will  no  doubt  claim,  as  it  ought  to  do,  the  imme- 
diate attention  of  Congrefs.  The  evils  which  muft  inevitablf 
follow  a  difputed  command  are  too  obvious  and  alarming  to  ad* 
mit  a  moment's  delay  in  your  decifion  thereupon  :  and,  al- 
though I  do  not  prefume  to  advife  in  a  matter,  now,  of  this 
delicacy,  yet  as  it  appears  evident  that  the  northern  army  has 
retreated  to  down-Point,  and  mean  to  act  upon  the  defenfive 
only,  I  cannot  help  giving  it  as  my  opinion  that  one  of  the  ma- 
jor-generals in  that  quarter  would  be  more  ufefully  employed 
here,  or  in  the  flying  camp,  than  there:  for  it  becomes  my  duty 
to  obferve,  if  another  'experienced  officer  is  taken  from  hencfe 
in  order  to  command  the  flying  camp,  that  your  grand  army 
will  be  entirely  ilripped  of  generals  who  have  feen  fervice,— - 
being  in  a  manner  already  deftitute  of  fuch.  My  diftrefs  on  this 
account, — the  appointment  of  general  Whitcomb  to  the  eaftern 
regiments, — a  conviction  in  my  own  breaft  that  no  troops  will 
be  fent  to  Boflon, — and  the  Certainty  of  a  number  coming  to 
this  place, — occafioned  by  poftponing,  from  time  to  time,  fend- 
ing any  general  officer  from  hence  to  the  e  aft  ward  heretofore  : 
and  now  I  fhall  wait  the  fentiments  of  Congrefs  relative  to  the 
five  regiments  in  Maflachufetts-Bay,  before  I  do  any  thing  ih 
this  matter. 

The  coramiffary-general  has  been  with  me  this  morning,  con- 
cerning the  other  matter  contained  in  general  Schuyler's  letter 
refpecting  the  bufinefs  of  that  department.  He  has,  I  believe*, 
(in  order  to  remove  difficulties),  recalled  Mr  A very,  but 
feerns  to  think  it  neceflary  in  that  cafe,  that  Mr.  Livingfton 
mould  be  left  to  himfelf,  as  he  cannot  be  refponfible  for  pe*- 
fons  not  of  his  own  appointment.— This  matter  fhould  alfo  be 

clearly 


)52  GENERAL  WASHINGTON'S 

clearly  defined  by  Congrefs. — I  have  already  given  my  opinion 
of  the  neceflhy  of  thefe  matters  being  under  one  general  direc- 
tion, in  fo  full  and  clear  a  manner,  that  I  fua.ll  not  take  up  the 
time  of  Congrefs  to  repeat  it  in  this  place, 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c.  G.  W* 


Si*,  New-Toft,   "July  8,   1776. 

CONGRESS  having  rcfolved  to  raife  a  regiment  of  Ger- 
vnans  to  counteract  the  defigns  of  our  enemies,  I  inuft  beg  leave 
to  recommend  to  their  notice  John  David  Wilpert,  now  a  firit 
lieutenant  in  colonel  Sheets  battalion,  to  the  office  of  captain 
'in  faid  regiment.  I  am  perfonally  acquainted  with  him,  and 
know  that  he  joined  the  Virginia  forces  under  my  command  ia 
the  year  1754,  and  continued  in  fervice  the  whole  war,  during 
v/hich  he  concluded  himfelf  as  an  aclive,  vigilant,  and  brave 
officer.  He  is  a  German  ;  and  his  merit,  as  a  foldier,  entitle:; 
.him  much  to  the  office  he  v;i(hes  for. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,   &c.  G.  W. 


SIR,  New-Tort,  July  10,   1776, 

I  AM  now  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  two  fa- 
vors of  the  fourth  and  fixth  initant,  wkich  came  duly  to  hand) 
with  their  important  inclofures. 

I  perceive  that  Congrefs  have  been  employed  in  deliberating 
on  meafures  of  the  moft  intereftiug  nature.  It  is  certain  that 
it  is  not  with  us  to  determine  in  many  inftances  what  confe- 
quences  will  flow  from  cur  councils  :  But  yet  it  behoves  us  to 
adopt  fuch,  as,  under  the  fmiles  of  a  gracious  and  all-kind  pro- 
vidence, will  be  moil  likely  to  promote  our  hnppincfs.  I  truft 
the  late  decifive  part  they  have  taken  is  calculated  for  that  end, 
and  will  fecure  us  that  freedom  and  thofe  privileges,  wThicu 
have  been  and  are  refufed  us,  contrary  to  the  voice  of  nature 
and  the  Britifh  conftitution.  Agreeable  to  the  requeft  of  Con- 
grefs, I  caufed  "  THE  DECLARATION"  to  be  proclaim- 
ed before  all  the  army  under  my  immediate  command  ,  and 
have  the  pleafure  to  inform  them  that  the  meafure  feemed  to 
have  their  mod  hearty  alTent, — the  exprefTions  and  behavior, 
both  of  officers  and  men,  teitifying  their  warmeft  approbation 
cf  it.  J  have  tranfmltted  a  .copy  to  general  Ward  at  Bofton, 

requeuing 


OFFICIAL-LETTERS;          .    153 

requesting  liliri  to  have  it  proclaimed  to  the  continental  troop, 
in  that  .department,.  ~ -1 -•»«*-,£•• 

It  is  with  great  pleafure  that  I  hear  the  militia  from  Mary- 
land,  the  Delaware  government,  and  Penniyhania,  will  be  in 
motion  every  day  to  form  the  flying  camp.  It  is  of  great  im« 
•portance,  and  mould  be  accomplished  with  all  porlible  difpatch. 
The  readinefs  and  alacrity,  with  which  the  committee  of  fafety 
of  Pennfylvania  and  the  other  conferees  have  a6ted  in  order  to 
.forward  the  aflbciated  militia  of  that  ft  ate  to  the  Jerfeys  for. 
fervi.ce,  till  the  men  to  compofe  the  flying  camp  arrive,  ilrong 
ly  evidence  their  regard  to  the  common  caufe,  and  that  nothing 
on  their  part  will  be  wanting  to  fupport  it.  I  hope,  .and  I 
doubt  not,  that  the  aiTociated  militia,  iixipieiTe d  with  the  expe- 
diency of  the  ineafure,  will  immediately  carry  it  into  execution, 
and  furnim.in  this  inftance  a  proof  of  the  continuance  of  that 
1  zeal  which'  has  fo  eminently  marked  their  conduct.  I  have 
directed  ;the  commiiTary  to  make  the  necelTary  proviilon  for 
their  reception,  who  will  alfo  fupply  the  army  for  -the  flying 
carap  wjth.  rations. — A  proper  officer  will  be  appointed  to  com- 
mand it. 

vy  In  purfuance  of  the  power  given  me  by  Congrefs,  and  the 
advice  of  my  general  officers,  I  have  wrote  to  general  Ward, 
and  defired  him  forthwith. to;  detach  three  of  the  fulleft  regi- 
ments from  the.  Maffachufetts-Bay  to  join  the  northern  army, — 
efteeming  it  a  matter  of  the  greateil  importance  to  have  a  fuffi- 
cien.t  force,  there  tp  prevent  the  enemy  parling  the  lake  and 
laakijig.  au.  iniprciiion  in  that  quarter. —  The  gondolas  and  gal- 
lies  will  be  of  great  Service ;  and  I  am  hopeful  the  carpenters 
you  have,  lent  from  Philadelphia,  and  that  will  go  from  the 
eaitvvard  on  yoiu  application,  will  be  able  to  build  a  fufficient 
Dumber  in  time  to  anfvver  every  exigency. 

I  have  requefled  governor  Cooke,  if  the  duck  mentioned  in 
Mr.  Greene's  letter  is  proper  for  tents,  to  have  it  made  up  as 
early  as  poffible  and  forwarded  here.  I  have  alfo  defired  h'im 
to  fend  the  flints  and  imall-arms,  ^  I  gave  general  Ward  thofe 
of  the  latter  that  weie  taken  out  of  the  Scotch  tranfports, — our 
deficiency  in  tliefe  neceffary  articles  being  Itill,,great. 

Obferying  that  Congrefs  have  particularly  mentioned  a  boun- 
ty of  ten  dollars  to  be  paid  to  men  of  {ome  corps  directed  to  be 
railed  in  two  or  three  instances  ilnce  their  refolve  of  the  twenty- 
fixth  of  June  allowing  iiich  bounty,  I  have  been  led  to  doubt 
how  that  refolve  is  to  be  conftrue'd  }  whetlier  it  is  a  general 
gulation,  and  extends  to  all  men  that  will  ;oi  three 

years, — for  iuHaace,  the  fcldiers  ol  .  :mv,  if -they 

U  - 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON'S 

will  enlift  for  that  time.  If  it  is,  and  extends  to  them,  it  will 
be  neceffary  to  forward  a  large  fum  of  money  :— many  perhaps 
\Vould  engage, 

r  I  alfo  obferve,  by  their  refolve  of  the  twenty-fifth  of  June 
for  railing  four  regiments  of  militia  in  the  eailern  governments 
to  augment  the  troops  in  the  northern  department,  that  the  af- 
femblies  of  thofe  governments  are  empowered  to  appoint  pay- 
ihafters  to  the  faid  regiments.  This  appears  to  me  a  regulation 
of  great  life,  and  I  could  vridi  that  it  was  made  general,  and 
one  allowed  to  every  regiment  in  the  fervice.  Many  advanta- 
ges would  refult  from  it. 

The  Connecticut  militia  begin  to  come  in  :  but  from  every 
Account  the  battalions  will  be  very  incomplete,— —owing,  they 
fay,  to  the  bufy  feafon  of  the  year.  That  government,  leit 
any  inconvenience  might  refult  from  their  militia  not  being 
here  in  time,  ordered  three  regiments  of  their  light-horfe  to  my 
aiiiftance,  part  of  which  have  arrived.  But,  not  having  the 
means  to  fupport  them  (and,  if  it  could  be  done,  the  expenfe 
would  be  enormous),  I  have  thanked  the  gentlemen  for  their 
zeal,  and  the  attachment  they  have  manifested  upon  this  occa- 
iicn,  and  informed  them  that  I  cannot  confent  to  their  keeping 
iheir  horfes, — at  the  fame  time  wifhing  them  to-  ftay  them- 
ieives. — I  am  told  they  or  part  of  them  mean  to  do  fo. 

General  Mercer  is  now  in  the  Jerfeys,  for  the  purpofe  of  re- 
Reiving  and  ordering  the  militia  coming  for  the  flying  camp  : 
and  1  have  fent  over  our  chief  engineer  to  view  the  ground 
within  the  neighborhood  of  Amboy,  and  to  lay  out  fome  ne- 
ceiTary  works  for  the  encampment,  and  iuch  as  may  be  proper 
sit  the  different  pajQfes  in  Bergen-Neck,  and  other  places  on  the 
Jcrfey  more  oppofite  Staten-Ifland,  to  prevent  the  enemy  mak- 
ing impreffions,  and  committing  depredations  on  the  property 
of  the  inhabitants. 

The  intelligence  that  we  have  from  a  few  deferters  that  have 
come  over  to  us,  and  from  others,  is  that  general  Howe  has 
between  nine  and  ten  thoufand  men,  who  are  chiefly  landed  on 
the  ifland,  ported  in  different  parts,  and  fecuring  the  feveral 
communications  from  the  JeiTeys  with  fmall  works  and  intrenca- 
Jii'ents,  to  prevent  oar  people  from  paying  them  a  viiit  j — that 
the  idanders  have  all  joined  them,  feem  well  difpofed  to  favor 
tlieir  cauie,  and  have  agreed  to  take  up  arms  in  their  behalf. 
They  look  for  admiral  Howe's  arrival  every  day  with  his  fleet 
and  a  large  reinfcrement  j  are  in  h/gh  ipirits,  and  talk  confi- 
dently of  fuccefs,  and  carrying  all  before  them  when  he  comes. 
I  truft,  through  divine  favor  and  our  own  exertions,  they  will 

be 


OFFICIAL   LETTERS, 

be  dlfappointed  in  their  views  :  «wl,  at  all  events,  any  advan- 
tages thqy  may  gain  will  cofl  them  very  dear.  If  our  troops 
will  behave  well  (which  I  hope  will  be  the  cafe,  having  every 
thing  to  contend  for,  that  freemen  hold  dear),  they  will  have 
to  wade  through  much  blood  and  flaughter  before  they  can  car- 
ry any  part  of  our  works,  if  they  carry  them  at  all,—  and,  at 
belt,  be  in  poffefficm  of  a  melancholy  and  mournful  ViCt^ry.— 
May  the  facrednefs  of  our  caufe  infpire  our  foldiery  with  fenti- 
ments  of  heroifm,  and  lead  them  to  the  performance  of  the 
nobleft  exploits  ! 

With  this  wilh,  I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c,  Q.  W, 


SIR,  New-Tork,  July  u, 

I  WAS  honored  with  your  favor  of  the  eighth  inftant  by 
yelterday  morning's  poft,  with  the  feveral  refolves  to  which  you 
referred  my  attention.  I  mall  duly  regard  them,  and  attempt 
their  execution  as  far  as  I  am  able. 

By  virtue  of  the  difcretionary  power  that  Congrefs  were; 
pleafed  tu  veil  me  with,  and  by  advice  of  fuch  of  my  general 
officers  as-  i  have  had  an  opportunity  of  confulting,  I  have  oi> 
dered  the  two  remaining  continental  regiments  in  the  MaiTachu- 
fetts-iiay  to  march  immediately  for  the  defence  of  this  place, 
in  full  confidence  that  nothing  ho/lile  will  be  attempted  againit 
that  ilate  in  the  prefent  campaign. 

I  have  wrote  to  the  general  court  of  Maffachufetts-Bay,.  and 
tranfmitted  a  copy  of  the  refolve  for  employing  the  eaftern  In* 
dians,  entreating  their  good  offices  in  this  inltance,  and  their^ 
exertions  to  have  them  forthwith  engaged  and  marched  to  joia 
this  aamy.  I  have  deiired  five  or  fix  hundred  of  them  to  be 
^nlifted  for  two  or  three  years,  if  they  will  content  to  it,  —  fub- 
jedlt  to  an  earlier  difcharge,  if  it  mall  be  thought  neceflary,  — 
and  upon  the  fame  terms  as  the  continental  troops,  if  better 
cannot  be  had,  —  though  I  am  hopeful  they  may. 

In  my  letter  of  yefterday  I  mentioned  the  arrival  of  part  of 
the  Connecticut  light-horfe  to  affift  in  the  defence  of  this  place, 
and  my  objection  to  their  horfes  being  kept.  Four  or  five 
hundred  of  them  are  now  come  in  :  and,  in  jultice  to  their  zeal 
and  laudable  attachment  to  the  caufe  of  their  country,  I  am  to 
inform  you  that  they  have  confented  to  Hay  as  long  as  occafioa 
may  require,  though  they  fliould  be  at  the  expenfe  of  maintain- 
ing their  horfes  themfelves.  They  have  paftured  them  out  a- 
bout  the  neighborhood  of  Kingibridge  (being  unwilling  to  fend 

them 


156  GE'N£RA1,  WASHINGTON'* 

them  nway)  at  the  rate  cf  hslf  a  dollar  per  week  each,  -mean- 
ing to  leave  It  entirely  with  Con  ere  fs  either  to  allow 'or  refufe 
it,  as  they  ihall  judge  proper.  1  promifed  to  make  this  reprc- 
ientation,  and  thought  it  my  duty  ;  and  will  only  obferve  that 
the  motives  which  induced  them  at  firft  to  fet  cut  were  good 
and  praife-worthy,  ana  were  to  afford  the  rooft  fpeedy  and  early 
fuccour,  which  they  apprehended  would  be  wanted  before  the 
militia  arrived.  Their  Cervices  may  be  extremely  important, 
— being  raoft  of  them,  if  not  all,  men  of  refutation  and  of  pro- 
perty. 

The  fubjeS  of  the  inclofed  copy  of  a  letter  from  governor 
TrumbuU  I  beg  leave  to  fubmit  to  the  'confederation  of  Con- 
grefs.  They  will  perceive  from  his  reprefentation,  the  difquitt- 
ing  apprehennons  that  have  feized  on  the  minds  of  the  peaple 
iince  the  retreat  of  the  northern  army,  and  how  e\pofed  the 
northern  frontiers  of  New-York  and  New-Hampihire  are  to  the 
ravages  and  incuriions  of  the  Indian?.  How  far  it  may  be 
pedlent  to  rarfe  the  battalion  he  conceives  neceffary  to  prevent 
the  calamities  and  diftrefles  he  points  out,  they  will  determiive, 
Upon  what  he  has  faid,  and  the  neceffity  that  may  appear  to 
them  for  the  meafure  ; — what  I  have  done,  being  only  to  lay 
the  matter  before  them  in  compliance  \vith  his  willies. 

I  have  alfo  inclofed  a   memorial    from   the    furgeons'-matcs, 
fetting  forth  the  inadequacy  of  their    pay   to  their  icr vices  and 
( maintenance,  and  praying'that   it   may   be    increafed.      I 
obferve  that  they  have  a  long  time  complained  in  this  inftance, 
and  that  fame  additional  allowance  may  not  be  imreceiisry. 

As  I  am  truly  fenfible  the  time  of  Ccngrcfs  is  much  taken 
tip  with  a  vaiiety  of  important  matters,  it  is  with  unwilling-net's 
and  pain  I  ever  repeat  a  requeil  after  having  once  made  it,  or 
take  the  liberty  of  enforcing  any  opinion  of  mine  after  it  is 
once  given:  but  as  the  eft abliihing  of  Iqnre  ofnce  for  auditing 
accounts  is  a  matter  of  exceeding- importance  to  the  public  in- 
terei':,  I  would  beg  leave  once  more  to  call  the  attention  of 
Com/rtfs  to  an  appointment  competent  to  the  purpofe.  T\vo 
motives  induce  me'  to  urge  the  matter  -7  fir  ft,  a  conviction  of 
the  utility  of  the  meafure  : — feconclly,  that  1  may  ftand  excul- 
pated if  hereafter  it  fhould  appear  that  money  has  been  impro- 
perly expended,  and  necefTaries  for  the  army  obtained  upon 
uurciifonable  terms. 

For  me,  whofe  tim«  is  employed  from  the  hour  of  my  rifing 
till  I  retire  to  bed  again,  to  go  into  an  examination  of  the  ac- 
counts of  fuch  an  army  as  this  with  any  degree  of  precifioi..  and 
exachieis.  without  neglecting  ether  matter*  of  c-qu.. 

tan 


O  F  F  I  C  I  A  L     LETTER  S.  15? 

tanee,  is  utterly  impracticable.  All  that  I  have  been  able  to, 
sdo  (and  that,  inrfa&,  was  doing  nothing),  was,  when  thc.com- 
raiffary,  and  quarter-matter,  and  dire&or-general  of  the  hofpi- 
tal  (lor  it  is  to  thefe  the  great  advances  are  made)  applied  tor. 
warrants, — to  make  them  at  times  produce  a  general  account 
of  their  expenditures.  But  this  anfwers  no  valuable  purpofe. 
It  i&  the  minutiae  that  rauft  be  gone  into, — the  propriety  of  each 
charge  examined,— the  vouchers  looked,  into  ; — and,  with  re- 
fpecl:  to  the  commilTary-general,  his  victualling  returns  and  ex- 
penditures of  provifions  mould  be  comparcH  with  his  purchafes; 
otherwife-a  perfon  in  this  department,  if  he  was  inclined  to  He 
knavifh,  might  purchafe  large  quantities  with  the  ,public  mo-> 
ncy,  and  fell  one  half  of  it  again  for  private  emolument}  and 
yet  his  accounts  upon  paper  would  appear  fair,  and  be  fupporu 
cd  with  vouchers  for  every  charge. 

I  do  not  urge  this  matter  from  a  fufpicion  of  any  unfair  prac- 
tices in  either  of  the  departments  before-mentioned  ;  and  forry 
Should  I  be  if  this  conftruclion  was  put  upon  it, — having  a  high 
opinion  of  the  honor 'and' integrity  of  thefe  gentJemen.  But 
there  mould,  neyerthelefs,  be  fome- control  as  well  upon  their 
diferetion  as  honefty : — to  which  may  be  added,  that  accounts 
become  perplexed  and  confuted  by  long  (landing,  and  the  er- 
rors therein  not  fo  difcoverable  as  if  they  underwent  an  early 
revifion  and  examination.  I  am  well  apprifed  that  a  treafury- 
oflice  of  accounts  has  been  refclvedsupon,  and  an  auditor-gene- 
-ral  for  fettling  all  public  accounts:  but,  with. all  deference, 
l?nd  fubmiffion  to  the  opinion  of  Gongrefs,  thefe  inititutions  are 
not  calculated  to  prevent  the  inconveniences  I  have  mentioned; 
nor  can  they  be  competent  to  the  purpofts,  circumftanced  as 
they  are. 

We  have  intelligence  from  a  deferter  that  came  to  us,  that, 
on  wednefday  morning,  the  Afia,  Chatham,  and  greyhound 
jnen-of-war  weighed  anchor,  and  (it  was  laid)  intended  to  pais 
^J^-the  North-river  above  the  city,  to  prevent  the  communica- 
tion'with  the  Jerfeys.  They  did  not  attempt  it,  nor  does  he 
knmv  what  prevented  them. — Apriibner  belonging  to  the  tenth 
regiment,  taken  yeflerday,  informs  that  they  hourly  expeded 
admiral  Howe  and  his  fleet.  He  adds  that  a  veffel  has  arrived 
from  them,  and  the  prevailing  opinion  is,  that  an  attack  will 
be  made  immediately  on  their  arrival. 

By  a  letter  from  general  Ward,  I  am  informed  that  the 
fffiail-pox  has  broke  out  at  Boftonyand  infefted  fome  of  tfo* 
troops.  I  have  wrote  to  him  to  place  the  invalids  under  an 
officer,  to  remain  till  they  are  well;-  and  to  uie  every  po&ble 

precaution 


i jg  GBNZFvAX  WASHINGTON'* 

precaution  to  prevent  the  troops  from  thence  bringing  the  in* 
fe&ion.      The  diftreffes  and  calamities  we  have  already  fuffered 
by  this  diforder  in  one   part  of  our  army,  I  hope,  will  excite 
his  utmofLcare  that  they  may  not  be  increafed. 
.   I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c.  G.  W. 


SIR,  New-York,  July  12,    17 76. 

THE  defign  of  this  is  to  inform  Congrefs,  that,  about  half 
after  three  o'clock  this  evening,  two  of  the  enemy's  mips  of 
war,  one  of  forty  and  the  other  cf  twenty  guns,  with  three 
tenders,  weighed  anchor  in  the  bay  oppofite  Staten-Illand,  and, 
availing  themfelves  of  a  briik  and  favorable  breeze,  with  a 
flowing  tide,  ran  pail  our  batteries  up  the  North-river,  without 
receiving  any  certain  damage  that  I  could  perceive,  notwith- 
Itanding  -a  heavy  and  inceiTant  cannonade  was  kept  up  from  our 
feveral  batteries  here,  as  well  as  from  that  at  Paulus-Hook. 
They,  on  their  part,  returned  and  continued  the  fire  as  they 
ran  by. — I  difpatched  an  expreis  to  brigadier-general  Miffiin 
at  our  encampment  towards  the  upper  end  of  the  illand;  but 
have  not  heard  whether  they  have  got  by,  or  received  any  da- 
mage. 

The  account  tranfmitted  by  this  morning's  poft,  refpecling 
the  arrival  cf  one  of  the  fle«rf,  feems  to  be  confirmed.  Several 
fhips  have  come  in  to-day  :  among  them,  one  this  evening  with 
2  Saint-George's  flag  at  her  fore-top-maft-head,  which  we  con- 
clude to  be  admiral  Howe  from  the  circuinftances  of  the  flag) 
and  the  feveral  and  general  falutes  that  were  paid.  It  is  pro- 
bable they  will  all  arrive  in  a  day  cr  two,  and  immediately  be- 
gin their  operations. 

As  it  will  be  extremely  neceffary  that  the  flying  camp  fliould 
be  well  provided  with  powder  and  ball,  and  it  may  be  imprac- 
ticable to  fend  fupplies  from  hence  on  account  of  our  hurry  and 
engagements  (betides,  the  communication  may  be  uncertain)^ 
I  muit  beg  the  attention  of  Congrefs  to  this  matter,  and  requeit 
that  they  will  forward  with  all  poflible  expedition  fuch  a  quan- 
tity of  mufcet-pQwder  and  lead  (if  balls  of  different  fizcs  can- 
not be  had),  as  will  be  fulTicient  for  the  militia  to  compofe  that 
camp. 

By  an  exprefs  this  minute  arrived  from  general  Miffiin,  the 
Ihips  have  paiTed  his  works. 

I  am,  in  hade,  with  fentiments  of  great  regard,  &c»     G.  W» 

A  quarter  paft  eight ,  P.  M. 


O  F  £  I  C  I  A  L    L  E  T  T  E  R  S. 


.  ..  g  ork,   "July  14, 

MY  laft  of  friday  evening,  which  I  had  the  honor  of  ad- 
drefling  you,  advifed  that  two  of  the  enemy's  (hips  of  war  and 
three  tenders  had  run  above  our  batteries  here  and  the  works 
at  the  upper  end  of  the  iiland.  I  am  now  to  inform  you,  that, 
yefterday  afternoon,  receiving  intelligence  from  general  Mifflin 
that  they  had  paffed  the  Tappan-fea,  and  were  trying  to  pro- 
ceed higher  up,  —  by  advice  of  R.  R.  Livingfton,  efquire,  and 
other  gentlemen,  I  difpatched  expreffes  to  general  Clinton  o£ 
Ulfter,  and  the  committee  of  fafety  for  Dutchefs-county,  to 
take  meafures  for  fecuring  the  paffes  in  the  Highlands,  left 
they  might  have  defigns  of  feizing  them,  and  have  a  force  con- 
cealed for  the  purpofe.  I  wrote  the  evening  before  to  the 
commanding  officer  of  the  two  garrifons  there  to  be  vigilant 
and  prepared  againfl  any  attempts  they  or  any  difaffe&ed  per- 
fons  might  make  againft  them,  and  to  forward  exprelTes  all  the 
\vay  to  Albany,  that  provifion  and  other  veffels  might  be  fe- 
cured  and  prevented  falling  into  their  hands. 

The  information  given  general  Mirflin  was  rather  premature, 
as  to  their  having  gone  paft  the  Sea.  —  A  letter  from  the  com- 
mitte  of  Orange-county,  which  came  to  hand  this  morning,  fay* 
they  were  there  yefterday,  and  that  a  regiment  of  their  militia 
was  under  arms,  to  prevent  their  landing  and  making  an  incur- 
fion.  The  me(Te=nger  who  brought  it,  and  to  whom  it  refers 
for  particulars,  adds  that  a  party  of  them,  in  two  or  three 
boats,  had  approached  the  ftiore,  but  were  forced  back  by  our 
people  firing  at  them.  Since  the  manoeuvre  of  friday,  therfc 
have  been  no  other  movements  in  the  fleet. 

General  Sullivan,  in  a  letter  of  the  fecond  inftant,  inform* 
me  of  his  arrival  with  the  army  at  Crown-Point,  where  he  is 
fortifying  and  throwing  up  works.  He  adds,  that  he,  has  fe- 
cured  all  the  (lores  except  three  cannon  left  at  Chambl.ee, 
which  in  part  is  made  op  by  taking  a  fine  twelve-pounder  out 
of  the  lake.-—  The  army  is  fickly,  —  many  with  the  imaU-pox  ; 
and  he  is  apprehenlive,  the  militia  ordered  to  join  them,  will 
not  efcape  the  infection.  —  An  officer  he  had  fent  to  reconnoitre 
had  reported  that  he  faw  at  Saint  John's  about  a  hundred  and 
fifty  tents,  —  twenty  at  Saint  Roy's,  and  fifteen  at  Chamblee  > 
and  works  at  the  firft  were  bulily  carrying  on. 

I  have  inclofed  a  general  return  of  the  army  here,  -which 
will  (hew  the  whole  of  our  ftrength.  All  the  deuched  -pofts 
are  included. 

A  .letter 


sfo  GENERAL  ^  ^TON's 

A  lettqr  from  the  eaftward,  by  lad  night's  poft  to  Mr.  Ha- 
zard, poll -mafic;  ir?  this  city,  advifes  that  two  (hips  had  be<m 
taken  and-t  arried  into  Cape- Ann, — one  from  Antigua,  con%a- 
•>?rnl  Ho've,  with  four  hundred  and  thirty-nine  pan- 
.cacons  of  .nun, — the  other  a . Jamaica-man,  with  four  hundred 
hogfheada  of  fugar,  two  hundred  puncheons  of  rum,  thirty  nine 
bales  of  cotton,  pimento,  fuftic,  &c.  Sec.  Each  mounted  two 
guns,  fix  pounders. 

About  three  o'clock  this  .afternoon  I  was  informed  t 
flag  from  lord  Howe  was  coming  up,  and  waited  with  two  oc 
our  whale-boats,  until  directions  ihouid  be  given.  I  immedi- 
ately convened  Cuch  of  the  general  officers  as  were  not  upon- 
other  duty,  who  agreed  in  opinion  that  I  ought  not  to  receive 
any  letter  directed  to  me  as  a.  private  gentleman  :  but  if  other- 
wile,  and  the  officer  defired  to  come  up  to  deliver  the  letter 
Jnrofelf,  as  was  fur-'gdled,  he  (herald  come  under  a  fafe-cor-ddcl. 
Dpon  this,  I  directed  colonel  Reed  to  go  down  and  manage  the 
affair  .under  the  above  -general  inftruction. 

On  his  return,  he  informed  me,  that  after  the  common  civi- 
lities, the  officer  acquainted  him  that  he  had  a  letter  from  lord 
Howe  to  Mr.  Washington,  which  he  (hewed  under  a  flibfc  op- 
tion, '*  To  George  IVajlnngton,  efquire" — Colonel  Reed  repli- 
ed, there  was  no .fuch  perfon  in  the  army,  and  that  a  letter  in- 
tended for  the  general,  could  not  be  received  under  fuch  a  di- 
rection.— The  omcer  expreiTed  great  concern, — faid  it"  was  a 
letter  rather  of  a  civil  than  military  nature, — that  lord  Howe 
regretted  he  had  not  arrived  fooner, — that  he  (lord  Howe} 
had  great  powers. — The  anxiety  to  have  the  letter  received 
was  very  evident,  though  the  officer  disclaimed  all  knowledge 
ef  its  contents.  However,  colonel  Reed's  inftrudions  being 
pofitive,  they  parted. — After  they  had  got  fome  diftance,  the 
officer  with  the  flag  again  put  about,  and  afked  under  what  di- 
reftion  Mr.  Wafhington  chofe  to  be  addreffed  : — to  which 
colonel  Reed  anfwered,  his  itation  was  well  known,  and  that 
certainly  they  could  be  at  no  lofs  how  to  dire&  to  him. — "L  he 
0-oicer  faid  they  knew  it  and  lamented  it  j  and  again  repeated 
las  wiih  that  the  letter  could  be  received. — Colonel  Reed  told 
him  a  proper  direction  would  obviate  ail  difficulties,  and  that 
this  was  no  new  matter,— thi*  fubjecl  having  been  fully  dil- 
cuffed  in  the  conrfe  of  Tail  year  j  of  which  lord  Howe  couldl 
not  be  ignorant  : — upon'  which  they  - 

.     I    would  ..not   upon    any  occafion  iacrince  effentials  to  pu-.:c- 

tHio  :    but  in   this   inilance,    the   opinion  of  others  concurring 

.  \y.  OV,TI?  I  deemed  it  a  duty  to   my  country  and  my   ap- 

oin :  • 


OFFICIALLETTERS.  161 


bi 


.fc  .  --,  ,-. 

jpomtment,  to  mint  upon  that  relpecr,  which,  in  any  other  than, 

a  public  view,  I  would  willingly  have  waved.  Nor  do  I  doubt> 
but,  from  the  fuppofed  nature  of  the  melfage,  and  the  anxiety 
expretfed,  they  will  either  repeat  their  flag,  or  fall  upon  fomei 
raode  to  communicate  the  import  and  [contents']  of  it. 

I  have  been  duly  honored  with  your  two  letters,—  >that  of 
the  tenth  by  Mr.  Anderfon,—  -  and  the  eleventh,  with  its  inclo- 
fures.  I  har/e  directed  the  quarter-matter  to  provide  him  with 
every  thing  he  wants  to  carry  his  fcheme  into  execution.  It 
is  am  important  one,  and  I  wi(h  it  fuccefs  5  but  am  doubtful 
that  it  will  be  better  in  theory  than  practice. 

The  paifage  of  the  fliips  of  war  and  tenders  up  the  river  is  a 
matter  cf  great  importance,  and  has  excited  much  conjecture 
arid  fpe'culatio'n.  To  me  two  things  have  occurred  as  leading 
them  to  this  proceeding,—  firft,  a  defign.  to  feize  on"  the  rrariow 
paiTes  on  both  fides  of  the  river,  giving  almoft  the  only  land- 
communication  with  Albany,  and  of  confequence,  with  our 
northern  army  j  for  which  purpofe,  they  might  have  troops 
concealed  on  board,  which  they  deemed  competent  of  them- 
felves,.  as  the  defiles  are  narrow,  —  or,  that  they  would  be  ioin- 
cd  by  mary  difafFected  perfons  ia  that  quarter.  •  Others  have 
added  a  "probability  cf  their  having  a  large  quantity  of  arms 
on  baord,  to  be  in  readinefs  to  put  into  the  hands  of  the  tories 
^immediately  on  the  arrival  of  the  fleet,  or  rather  at  the  time 
they  intend  to  make"  their  attack.—-  The  fecond  is,  to  cut  off 
entirely  all  intercourfe  between  this  and  Albany,  by  water,  'and 
the  upper  country,  and  to  prevent  fupplies  of  every  kind  going 
and  coming. 

Thefe  matters  are  truly  alarming,  and  of  fuch  importance, 
that  I  have  wrote  to  the  provincial  congrefs  of  New-York, 
and  recommended  to  their  ferious  consideration  the  adoption 
of  every  poflible  expedient  to  guard  again!!  the  two  firft  j  and 
have  fuggelted  the  propriety  of  their  employing  the  militia,  or 
fome  part  of  them,  in  the  counties  iii  which  thefe  defiles  are,. 
to  keep  the  enemy  fiom  pofTerTing  them,  till  further  provificn 
can  be  made  j  and  to  write  to  the  feveral  leading  perfons  on 
our  fide  in  that  quarter,  to  be  attentive  to  all  the  movements  of 
the  finps  and  the  difarFected,  in  order  to  difcover  and  frullrats 
whatever  pernicious  fchemes  they  have  in  view. 
,  In  refpect  to  the  fecond  conjecture  of  my  own,  and  which 
feems  to  be  generally  adopted,  I  have  the  pleafure  to  inform 
Congrefs,  that,  if  their  cleiign  is  to  keep  the  armies  from  pro- 
vifion,  the  commiffary  has  told  me  upon  inquiry,  he  has  for- 
warded fupplies  to  Albany  (now  there,  and  strove  it)  futHcient 

X  for 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON'S 

for  ten  thoufand  men  for  four  months  ; — that  he  has  a  fuffici- 
ency  here  for  twenty  thoufand  men  for  three  months,  and  an 
abundant  quantity  fecured  in  different  parts  of  the  Jerfeys  for 
the  flying  camp,  betides  having  about  four  thoufand  barrels  of 
flour  in  fome  neighboring  part  of  Connecticut.  Upon  this 
Jiead,  there  is  but  little  occasion  for  any  apprehenfions,  at  leaft 
for  a  confiderable  time. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c.  G.  W. 

P.  S.  I  have  fent  orders  to  the  commanding  officer  of  the 
Pennfylvania  militia  to  march  to  Amboy,  as  their  remaining  at 
Trenton  can  bo  of  no  fervice. 


SIR,  New-York,   "July  15,  1776. 

THIS  will  be  handed  you  by  Mr.  Griffin,  who  has  alfo 
taken  upon  him  the  charge  and  delivery  of  two  packets  con- 
taining fundry  letters  which  were  fent  to  Amboy  yeilerday  by 
a  flag,  2nd  forwarded  to  me  to-day  by  general  Mercer. — Tli6 
•letter  addrefled  to  governor  Franklin  came  open  to  my  hands. 

I  was  this  morning  honored  with  yours  of  the  thirteenth  in- 
ftant,  with  its  important  and  neceflary  inclofures  '7  and,  in  obe- 
dience to  the  commands  of  Congrefs,  have  tranfmitted  general 
Howe  the  refolves  intended  for.  him.  Thofe  for  general  Bur- 
goyne  I  incloied  and  fent  to  general  Schuyler,  with  directions 
immediately  to  forward  them  to  him. 

The  inhuman  treatment  of  the  whole,  and  murder  of  part  of 
'our  people,  after  their  furreiider  and  capitulation,  was  certainly 
a  flagrant  violation  of  that  faith  which  ought  to  be  held  facred 
by  all  civilized  nations,  and  founded  in  the  mod  favage  barba- 
rity. It  highly  deferved  the  fevereft  reprobation  j  and  I  truit 
the  fpirited  meafures  Congrefs  have  adopted  upon  the  occafion, 
•will  prevent  the  like  in  future  :  but  if  they  {hould  not,  and  the 
claims  of  humanity  are  difregarded,  juftice  and  policy  will  re- 
quire recourfe  to  be  had  to  the  law  of  retaliation,  however  ab- 
horrent and  difagreeable  to  our  natures  in  cafes  of  torture  and 
capital  puniihments. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c.  G.  W. 


SIR,  Mew-Tort,  >'/>'   I?,   1776, 

I  WAS  this  morning  honored  with  yours  of  the  -fifteenth 
inftant,  vrith  fundry  rciblves. 

J  perceive 


OFFICIAL    LETTERS. 

1  perceive  the  meafures  Congrefs  have  taken  to  expedite  the 
Tailing  of  the  flying,  camp,  and  providing  it  with  articles  of  the 
greatell  ufe.  You  will  fee  by  a  poftfcript  to  my  letter  of  the 
fourteenth,  I  had  wrote  to  the  commanding  officer  of  the  Peun- 
fylvania  militia,  ordering  them  to  be  march.ed  from  Trenton  to 
^mbpy,  as  their  remaining  there  could  not  anfwer  the  leaft 
public  good.  For,  haying  confulted  with  fundry  gentlemen, 
I  was  informed,  if  the  enemy  mean  to  direct  their  views  to- 
.wards  Pennsylvania,  or  penetrate  the  Jerfeys,  their  route  will 
be  from  near  Amboy,  and  either  by  way  of  Brunfwic  or  Bound- 
brook, — the  lower  road  from  South-Amboy  being  through  a 
woody,  fandy  country.  Betides,  they  will  be  then  able  to 
throw  in  fuccour  here,  and  to  receive  it  from  hence  in  cafes  of 
emergency. 

The  Connecticut  ligKt-horfe,  mentioned  in  my  letter  of  the 
eleventh^  notwithftanding  their  then  promife  to  continue  here 
for  the  defence  of  this  place,  are  now  difcharged,  and  about,  to 
^eturn  home.-^— having  peremptorily  refufed  all  kind  of  fatigue 
duty,  or  even  to  mount  guard,  claiming  an  exemption  as  troop- 
ers. Though  their  afliftance  is  much  needed,  and  might  be  of 
^{Jtntial  fervice  in  cafe  of  an  attack,  yet  I  judged  it  adviiable, 
on  their  application  and  claim  of  fuch  indulgences,  todifcharge 
them  y  as  granting  them  would  fet  an  examples  to  others,  and 
might  produce  many  ill  confequences.  The  number  of  men 
.jnckideqi.  in  the  la#  return,  by  this,  is  leffened  about  five  hun- 
dred. £$&?/"  '  *  '•- 

I  laft  night  received  a  letter  from  general  Schuyler,  with 
Jeveral  inclofures,  copies  of  which  I  have  herewith  tranfmit- 
'ted.  They  will  give  Congrefs  every  information  1  have  re- 
.  fpecling  our  northern  army  and  the  fituation  of  our  affairs  in 
that  quarter  j — to  which  I  beg  leave  to  refer  their  attention. — 
I  cannot  but  exprefs  my  furprife  at  the  fcarcity  ef  provifion 
•which  general  Schuyler  mentions,  after  what  the  commiflary 
affured  me,  and  which  formed  a  part  of  my  letter  of  the  four- 
teenth. He  ftill  affures  me  of  the  fame. — This  is  a  diftreffing 
circumftance,  as  every  article  of  provifion,  ^nd  every  thing 
neceffary  for  that  department,  can  have  no  other  pow  than  a 
land-conveyance,  the  water-communication  from  hence  to  Al- 
bany being  entirely  cut  otf. 

Congrefs  will  pleafe  to  confider  the  inclofure,  No.  6,  about 
raifing  fix  companies  out  of  the  inhabitants  about  the  lakes,  to 
•prevent  the  incurfions  of  th,e  Indians.  The  general  officers,  in 
"their  minutes  of  council  have  determined  it  a  matter  of  much 
importance  )— and  their  attention  to  the  price  of  goods  fur- 

nifhed 


164  GENERAL  WASHINGTON'S 

niihed  the   foldiery  may  be  extremely  necerlary.      They  hsve 
complained  much  upon  this  head. 

The   retreat   frcrn    Crown-Point   feems  to  be  confidered  in 
oppofile   views   by  the   general  and  field-officers.      The    for*1 
mer  (I  am  fatisiied)  have  weighed  the   matter  well ;  and  yet 
the   reafons  aligned   by  the  latter  againft  it  appear  ftrong  and 
forcible. — I  hope  whatever  is  done  will  be  for  the  beft.    *  *  * 

By  a  letter  frorn  the  committee  of  Orange- county,  receive^ 
this  morning,  the  men-of-war  and  tenders  were  yefterday  at 
Haveriham-bay,  about  forty  miles  above  this.  A  number  o£ 
men,  in  four  barges  from  the  tenders,  attempted  to  land,  with 
a  view  (they  fuppofe)  of  taking  forne  fheep  and  cattle,  that 
had  been  previously  removed, — A  fmall  number  of  militia  that 
Vvrere  collected  obliged  them  to  retreat,  without  their  doing  any 
damage,  with  their  panpoii. — They  were  founding  the  water  up 
towards  the  Highlands  ;  by  which  it  is  probable  they  will  at- 
tempt to  pafs  with  part  of  the  fleet,  ifpoflible. 

Yefterday  evening,  a  flag  came  from  general  Howe,  with  a 
letter  addreffed  "  To  Geerge  Wajlrington,  ef^uire,  &c.  &c.  &'r." 
— It  was  not  received,  upon  the  fame  principle  that  the  one 
from  lord  Howe  was  refufed. 

J  have  the  honor  to  be,  ckc.  G.  W. 


SIR,  New-Tori',  July  19,   i7/:6. 

I  HAVE  been  duly  honored  with  your  favors  of  the  lix- 
teenth  and  feventeenth,  with  the  feveral  refolyes  they  ccntain- 
.ed  j  to  the  execution  of  which,  fo  far  as  mall  be  in  my  power, 
I  will  pay  proper  attention. 

In  my  letter  of  the  feventeenth  I  tranfmitted  you  a  copy  of 
one  from  general  Schuyler,  and  of  its  feveral  inclofures. — I 
confefs  the  determination  of  the  council  of  general  oflicers  crj 
the  feventh,  to  retreat  from  Crown-poirt,  furprifed  me  much  : 
and  the  more  I  confider  it,  the  more  jftnking  does  the  imprO' 
piiety  appear.  The  reafons  afligned  .againit  it  by  the  field^ 
officers,  in  their  rernonilrance,  coincide  greatly  with  my  own 
ideas  and  thofe  of  the  other  general  officers  \  have  had  an  op- 
portunity of  confulting  with,  and  fcem  to  be  of  confiderable 
weight, — I  may  add,  concluiive. — I  am  not  fo  fully  acquainted 
with  the  geography  of  that  country  and  the  iituatio*  of  the 
different  pelts,  as  to  pronounce  a  peremptory  judgment  upon 
the  matter  :  but,  if  my  ideas  are  right,  the  poiTeifion  oi  Crown- 

Poiut 


OFFICIAL    LETTERS,  16$ 

Ppint  Is.  effential,  to  give  us   the   fuperiority  arid  maflery  upon 
the  lake. 

That  the  enemy  will  poffefs  it  as  foon  as  abandoned  by  us, 
there  can  be  no  'doubt  :  and  if  they  do,  xvhatever  gallics  or 
force  we  keep  on  the  lake  will  be  unqueftionably  in  the  rear. 
— -How  they  are  to  be  fupported  there,  or  what  fuccour  can  be 
d fawn  from  them  there,  is  beyond  my  comprehenfion. — Per- 
haps it  is  only  meant  that  they  fhould  be  employed  on  the  com- 
munication between  that  and  Tyconderoga.  If  this  \s  the 
cafe,  I  fear  the  views  of  Congrefs  will  not  be  anfwered,  nor  the 
falutary  effects  be  derived  from  them,  that  were  intended. 

I  have  mentioned  my  furprife  to  general  Schuyler,  and  would, 
by  the  advice  of  the  general  officers  here,  have  directed  that 
that  poft  ihould  be  maintained,  had  it  not  been  for  two  caufe,*;, 
« — ;an  appreheniion  that  the  works  have  been  deftroyed,  and 
that,  if  the  army  fliould  be  ordered  from  Tyconderoga,  or  the 
poft  oppoiite  to  it  (where- 1  prefume  they  are)?  to  rep'offcfs  it, 
they  would  have  neither  one  place  nor  another  fecure  and  in  a 
defenfible  ft  ate  : — -the  other,  left  it  might  increafe  the  jealoufy 
imd  diverilty  of  opinions  which  feem  already  too  prevalent  in, 
that  army,  and  eftablifh  a  precedent  for  the  inferior  officers  to 
let  up  their  judgments  whenever  they  would,  in  oppofition  to 
thofe  of  their  fuperiors. — a  matter  of  great  delicacy,  and  that 
might  lead  to  fatal  confequences,  if  countenanced  j — though 
in  the  prefent^inrlance  I  could  wifh  their  reafoning  had  pre- 
vailed. 

If  the  army  has  not  removed,  what  I  have  faid  to  general 
Schuyler  may  perhaps  bring  on  a  re-confideration  of  the  mat- 
ter j-and  it  may  not  be  too  late  to  take  meafures  for  maintain- 
ing that  poft.  But  of  this  I  have  no  hope. 

In  confequence  of  the  refolve  of  Congrefs  for  three  of  the 
eaftern  regiments  to  reinforce  the  northern  army,  I  wrote  to 
general  Ward,  and,  by  advice  of  my  general  officers,  directed 
them  to  march  to  Norwich,  and  there  to  embark  for  Albany  3 
conceiving  that  two  valuable  purpofcs  might  refult  therefrom, 
— rirft,  that  they  would  fooner  join  the  army  by  putfuing  this 
route,  and  be  faved" from  the  diiirefs  and  fatigue  that  muft  at- 
tend every  long  march  through  the  country  at  this  hot  and  un- 
comfortable feafon  ; — and  fecondly,  that  they  might  give  fuc- 
cour here,  in  cafe  the  enemy  mould  make  an  attack  about  the 
time  of  their  paffing.  But  the  enemy  having  now,  with  their 
(hips  of  war  and  tenders,  cut  off  the  water-communication  from 
hence  to  Albany,  I  have  wrote  this  day  and  directed  them  to 
proceed  by  land  acrofs  the  country.— If  Congrefs  difapprove 

- '  Q 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON'S 

the  route,  or  wifh  to  give  orders  about  them,  you  will  pleafo 
to  certify  me  thereof,  that  I  may  take  meafures  accordingly. 

Inclofed  I  have  the  honor  to  tranfmit  you  copies  of  a  letter 
and  fundry  refolutions  which  I  received  yefterday  from  the 
convention  of  this  ilate.  By  them  you  will  perceive  they  have 
been  acting  upon  matters  of  great  importance,  and  are  exertmg 
themfelves  in  the  moil  vigorous  manner  to  defeat  the  wicked 
defigns  of  the  enemy,  and  fuch  difarfe&ed  .  perfons  as  may  in- 
cline to  afiifl  and  facilitate  their  views. — In  compliance  with 
their  request,  and  on  account  of  the  Icarcity  of  money  for  car- 
rying their  falutary  views  into  execution,  I  have  agreed  to  lend 
them,  out  of  the  finall  flock  now  in  hand  (not  more  than  fixty 
thoufand  dollars),  twenty  thoufand  dollars,  in  part  of  what 
they  want  j  which  they  promife  fpeedily  to  replace. — Had 
there  been  money  fufficient  for  paying  the  whole  of  our  troops, 
and  no  more,  I  could  not  have  done  it.  But  as  it  was  other- 
•xvife,  and  by  no  means  proper  to  pay  a  part  and  not  the  whole, 
I  could  not  forefee  any  inconveniences  that  would  attend  the 
loan  j — on  the  contrary,  that  it  might  contribute  in  fome  de- 
gree to  forward  their  fchemes. — -I  hope  my  conduct  in  this  in- 
ftance  will  not  be  difapproved. 

I  iuciofed  governor  Ttfumbull  a  copy  of  their  letter  and  of 
their  feveral  relblves,  to-day,  by  colonel  Broom  and  Mr.  Duer, 
two  members  of  the  convention,  who  are  going  t^o  wait  on  him  5 
but  did  not  think  myfelf  at  liberty  to  urge  or  requeft  his  interT 
«ft  in  forming  the  camp. of- fix  thoufancl  men,  as  the  levies,  di- 
recled  by  Congrefs  to  be  furnifhed  the  third  of  June,  for  thf 
defence  of  this  place,  by  that  government,  are  but  little  more 
than  one-third  come  in.  At  the  fame  timej  the  proportion  I 
think  a  good  one,  if  it  could  be  carried  into  execution.  la 
.cafe  the  enemy  fbould  attempt  to  effect  a  landing  above  Kingfr 
bridge,  and  to  cut  off  the  communication  between  this  city  and 
the  country,  an  army  to  hang  on  their  rear  would  diftrefs  theiu 
exceedingly. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c.  G.  W, 

The  inclofed  paper  fhould  have  been  fent  before,  but  was 
omitted  through  hurry. 

P.  S.  After  J  had  clofed  my  letter,.  I  received  one  from 
general  Ward,  a  copy  of  which  is  herewith  tranfmitted. — I, 
have  wrote  him  to  forward  the  two  regiments  now  at  Bofton,  by 
Ht  he  moil  dire  el  road,  to  Ticonderoga,  as  foon  as  they  are  well, 
with  the  utmoft  expedition  ;  and.confider  their  having  had  the 
ftnall-pox,  as  a  fortunate  ciicumltance.  When  the  three  arrive 
•v.hich  have  marched  for  Norwich,  I  fliall  immediately  fend  one 

o£ 


tffflClAL    LETTERS.  i6? 

e£  them  on,  if  Congrefs  mall  judge  ;t  expedient  5—  of  which 
}ou  will  pleafe  to  inform  me,  ' 

3====** 
<*A*£  '/"""•        T*    .••  "•'*'  -  ••         '  : 

New-York,  July  21,   1776, 


I  HAVE  juft  time  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your 
favor  of  the  nineteenth.  'The  inerefting  intelligence  of  the 
fuccefs  of  our  arms  in  the  fouthern  department  gives  me  the 
higheft  fatisfaftion.  Permit  me  to  join  my  joy  to  the  congra- 
tulations of  Congrefs  upon  this  event.  To-morrow  J  will  write 
more  fully. 

Two  o^clock,  P.  M.  1  this  moment  had  report  made  me, 
that  ten  (hips  were  feen  in  the  offing,  Coming  in,  —  I  fuppofe, 
part  of  admiral  Howe's  fleet. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &C.  G.  W. 


H  New-Tori,  'July  22,  1776, 

YOUR  favors  of  the  eighteenth  and  nineteenth,  with 
•fchich  you  have  been  pleafed  to  honor  me,  have  been  duly  re- 
teived,  with  the  feveral  refolves  alluded  to. 

When  the  letter  and  declaration,  from  lord  Howe  to  Mr, 
Franklin,  and  the  other  late  governors,  come  to  be  published, 
1  mould  fuppofe  the*  warmeft  advocates  for  dependance  on  the 
Britim  crown  mult  be  iilent,  and  be  convinced  beyond  all  pof- 
fibility  of  doubt,  that  all  that  has  been  faid  about  the  commifn- 
oners  was  illufory,  and  calculated  exprefsly  to  deceive  and  un~ 
guaid,  not  only  the  good  people  of  our  own  country,  but  thofe 
of  the  Englifh  nation  that  were  averfe  to  the  proceedings  of 
the  king  and  miniftry.  Hence  we  fee  the  caufe  why  a  fpecin- 
cation  of  their  powers  was  not  given  the  mayor  and  city  of 
London,  on  their  addrefs  requefting  it.  That  would  have  beei* 
dangerous,  becaufe  it  would  then  have  been  manifeft  that  the 
line  of  conduft  they  were  to  purfue  would  be  totally  variant 
from  that  they  had  induftrioufly  propagated,  and  amufed  the 
public  with.  —  The  uniting  the  civil  and  military  offices  in  the 
fame  perfons,  too,  muft  be  conclufive  to  every  thinking  one", 
that  there  is  to  be  but  little  negociation  of  the  civil  kind. 

I  have  inclofed,  for  the  fatisfadion  of  Congrefs,  the  fub- 
ftance  of  what  paffed  between  myfelf  and  lieutenant-colonel 
Patterfon,  adjutant  -general,  at  an  interview  had  yeftcrday,  in. 

confequcnce 


i68  GENERAL  WASHINGTON'* 

confequence  of  a  requeft  from  general  Howe  the  day  before  j— 
to  which  I  beg  leave  to  refer  them  for  particulars. 

Colonel  Knox  of  the  train  having:  often  mentioned  to  me  the 
neceffity  of  having  a  much  more  numerous  body  of  artilleriftg 
than  what  there  now  is,  in  cafe  the  prefertt  contert  mould  con- 
tinue longer, — and  knowing  the  deficiency  in  this  inilance,  and 
their  extreme  ufefulnefs, — I  defired  him  'to  commit  his  ideais 
upon  the  fubje£r.  to  writing,  in  order  that  I  might  tranfmit 
them  to  Congrefs  for  their  confideration.  Agreeable  to  my 
requeft.  he  has  done  it 3  and  the  propriety  of  his  plan  is  now 
Submitted  for  their  decinon.  It  is  certain  that  we  have  not 
more  at  this  time  than  are  fufficient  for  the  fevcral  cxtenlive 
potts  we  now  have, — including  th,e  draughts  which  he  fpeaks 
of,  and  which,  I  prefume  (not  only  from  what  he  has  informed 
me,  but  from  the  nature  of  the  thing),  can  never  be  qualified 
to  render  the  fame  fervice  as  if  they  were  regularly  appointed 
and  formed  into  a  corps  for  that  particular  purpofe. 

I  beg  leave  to  remind  Congrefs  that  fome  time  ago  I  laid  be- 
fore them  the  propofals  of  fome  perfcns  here,  for  forming  a  com- 
pany of  light-horfe ;  and  the  prelid-ent's  anfwcr,  a  little  time 
after,  intimated  that  the  plan  feemed  to  be  approved  of. — As 
thcfe  who  wanted  to  make  up  the  troop  are  frequently  prcffing 
me  fox  an  anfwer,  I  could  wifli  to  be  favored  with  the  decinon 
of  Congrefs  upon  the  fubjeft. 

By  a  letter  from  general  Schuyler,  of  the  fourteenth  inftant, 
dated  at  Albany,  he  informs  me,  that,  the  day  before,  fome 
tjefperate  defigns  of  the  tories  in  that  quarter  had  been  difco- 
Vered,  the  particulars  of  which  he  could  not  divulge,  being 
under  an  oath  of  fecrecy  j — however,  that  fuch  meafuies  had 
been  taken,  as  to  promife  a  prevention  of  the  intended  mif^hiefj 
and  that  four  of  the  confpirators  (among  them  a  ringleader) 
were  apprehended  about  one  o'clock  that  morning,  not  far  trom 
the  town.  What  the  plot  was,  or  who  were  concerned  in  it, 
is  a  matter  I  am  ignorant  of  as  yet. 

With  my  befl  regards  to  Congrefs,  I  have  the  honor  to  be 
vour  and  their  moft  obedient  fervant,  G.  W. 

P.  S.  Congrefs  will  pleafe  to  obferve  what  was  propofed 
refpecting  the  exchange  of  Mr*  Lovell,  an<]  iignify  their  plea- 
i»  vour  next.— The  laft  week's  return  i>s  alib  incloied. 


OFFICIAL    LETTERS.  469 

SIR,  'New-Tort,  Jitty  22,  1776. 

CONGRESS  having  "been  pleafed  to  appoint  Mr.  Wilper 
to  the  command  of  a  company  in  the  German'  battalion  now 
railing,  I  have  directed  him  to  repair  to  Philadelphia  for  their 
orders.  From  my  acquaintance  with  him,  I  am  perfuaded  his 
conduct  as  an  officer  will  merit  their  approbation  :  and,  thank- 
ing them  for  their  kind  attention  to  my  recommendation  of 
him,  I  have  the  honor  to  be,  with  fentiments  o£  the  higheil 
refped,  &c.  G.  W. 


SIR,  New-York,  July  23,  1776. 

I  WAS  honored  with  your  favor  of  the  twentieth  by  yef- 
terday's  poft,  fince  which,  and  my  letter,  nothing  of  moment 
Jhas  occurred. 

The  flaps,  mentioned  in  rn$-  letter  of  the  twenty-firft  to 
have  been  in  the  offing,  got  in  that  day,  and  are  fuppofed  to 
be  part  of  the  Scotch  fleet,  having  landed  fome  Highlanders 
yefterday. 

Inclofed  I  have  the  honor  to  tranfmit  you  copies  of  a  letter 
and  fundry  refolutions  which  I  received  laft  night  from  the 
convention  of  this  ftate.  They  will  inform  you  of  the  comput- 
ed number  of  inhabitants  and  ftock  upon  Naffau-Ifland,  and. 
their  fentiments  on  the  impracticability  of  removing  the  latter, 
and  alfo  of  the  meafures  they  think  neceffary  and  likely  to  fe- 
cure  them. 

I  have  alfo  inclofed  a  letter  from  Mr.  Faefh  to  lord  Stirling, 
upon  the  fubjecl:  of  a  cannon-furnace  for  the  ufe  of  the  dates. 
Congrefs  will  fee  hi*  plan  and  propofals,  and  determine  upon 
them  as  they  {hall  judge  proper.. 

I  am,  fir,  with  every  fentinlent  of  refpe&,  &c.  G.  W, 


SIR,  tftwjh  July  23,   1775. 

SINCE  I  had  the  pic afure 'of  writing  you  by  this  mornmg's 
.poft,  I  was  favored  with  a  letter  from  governor  Trurhbull^  a 
copy  of  which  is  inclofed,  and  to  which  I  beg  leave  to  refer 
you. — In  regard  to  the  ftock  he  'mentions,  I  wrote  to  him,  re,- 
quefting  that  they  might  be  removed  from  the  iilands  on  whioJi 
they  were,  as  I  conceived  it  of  great  importance  to  diftrefsthe 
enemy  at  much  *s  pofTiblc  in  the  article  of  freili  picviuon. — 

Y-  I  w2S 


170  GENERAL  WASHINGTON'S 

I  wifh  the  other  governments  may  follow  his  example,  and 
have  it  removed  from  the  iilands  belonging  to  them  refpec- 
tively. 

When  the  {hips  of  war  and  tenders  went  up  the  river,  it  was 
thought  expedient  that  application  fhould  be  made  for  the 
Connecticut  row-gallies  and  thofe  belonging  to  Rhode-Ifland, 
in  order  to  attempt  fomething  for  their  deftruclion.  As  foon 
as  they  arrive  we  fhall  try  to  employ  them  in  fome  ufeful  way, 
—but  in  what,  or  how  fuccefsfully,  I  cannot  at  prefent  deter- 
mine. 

Congrefs  will  pleafe  to  obferve  what  Mr.  Trurnbull  fays  re-' 
fpefting  the  continental  regiment  raifing  under  colonel  Ward. 
If  they  incline  to  give  any  orders  about  their  deftination,  you 
will  pleafe  to  communicate  them  by  the  earlieft  opportunity, 
as  their  march  will  be  fufpended  till  they  are  known. 

The  orders  Mr.  Trumbull  has  given  to  the  officers  of  their 
cruifers,  to  flop  provifion-veffels,  feem  to  be  neceffary.  We 
have  too  much  reafon  to  believe  that  fome  have  gone  volunta- 
rily to  the  enemy,  and  that  there  are  many  perfons  who  would 
continue  to  furnifh  them  with  large  fupplies  :  and,  however  up- 
right the  intentions  of  others  may  be,  it  will  be  a  matter  of  the 
u'tmoft  difficulty,  if  not  an  impossibility,  for  any  to  efcape  fall- 
ing into  their  hands  now,  as  every  part  of  the  coaft  (it  is  pro- 
bable) will  fwarm  with  their  {hips  of  war  and  tenders.  I  had 
propofed  writing  to  the  convention  of  this  flate  upon  the  fub- 
jecl  before  I  received  his  letter  j  and  am  now  more  periuaded 
of  the  neceffity  of  their  taking  fome  fieps  to  prevent  further 
exportations  down  the  Sound.  In  my  next  I  mall  inform  them 
of  the  intelligence  received  from  Mr.  Trumbull,  and  recom4 
mend  the  matter  to  their  attention. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,   &c.  G.  W. 

P.  S.  It  appears  abfolutely  neceffary  that  the  exportation 
of  provifion  mould  be  flopped.  Our  army  is  large,  and  other- 
wife  may  want.  Nor  can  individuals  be  injured,  as  they  have 
a  ready-money  market  for  every  thing  they  have  to  difpofe  of 
in  that  wav. 


SIR,  New-York ,  July  25,   1776. 

DISAGREEABLE  as  it  is  to  me  and  unpleafing  as  it 
may  be  to  Congrefs  to  multiply  officers,  I  find  myfelf  under  the 
unavoidable  neceffity  of  afking  an  increafe  of  my  aids-de-camp. 
The,  augmentation  of  my  command,-— the  increafe  of  my  cor- 

refpondencc, 


OFFICIAL    LETTERS.  17* 

pefpondence, — the  orders  to  give, — the  inftru6Hons  to  draw,-— 
cut  out  more  bufmefs  than  I  am  able  to  execute  in  time  with 
propriety.  The  buiinefs  of  fo  many  different  departments  cen- 
tring with  me,  and  by  me  to  be  handed  on  to  Congrefs  for  their 
information, — added  to  the  intercqurfe  I  am  obliged  to  keep 
up  with  the  adjacent  ftates, — and  incidental  occurrences, — all 
of  which  require  confidential  and  not  hack  writers  to  execute, — r 
renders  it  impoflible,  in  the  prefent  ftate  of  things,  for  my  fa- 
mily to  difcharge  the  feveral  duties  expelled  of  me,  with  that 
precifion  and  difpatch  that  I  could  wifh.-r-What  will  it  be  then^ 
when  we  come  into  a  more  active  fcene,  and  I  am  called  upon 
from  twenty  different  places  perhaps  at  the  fame  inftant  ? 

Congrefs  will  do  me  the  jultice  to  believe  (I  hope)  that  it  is 
not  my  inclination  or  wiih  to  run  the  continent  to  any  unnecef? 
fary  expenfe  ;  and  thofe  who  better  know  me  will  not  fufpecl: 
that  (how  and  parade  can  have  any  influence  on  my  mind  in  this 
inftance.  A  convi&ion  of  the  neceflity  of  it,  for  the  regular 
difcharge  of  the  truft  repofed  in  me,  is  the  governing  motive 
for  the  application  5  and,  as  fuch,  is  fubmitted  to  Congrefs  by, 
Jlr,  your  moft  obedient,  &c.  G,  W. 


SIR,  New-York,  July  27,  1776, 

I  WAS  yeflerday  morning  honored  with  your  favor  of  the 
twenty-fourth  inftant  with  its  feveral  inclofures,  to  which  I 
ihall  pay  the  ftrifteft  attention. 

The  confidence  £ongrefs  are  pleafetf  to  repofe  in  my  judg~ 
ment  demands  my  warmeft  acknowledgments,  and  they  may 
reft  allured  it  mail  be  invariably  employed,  fo  far  as  it  mall  be 

in  my  power,    to  promote  their  views   and  the  public  weal. 

*     *     # 

Since  my  laft,  nothing  material  has  occurred. — Yefterday 
evening  report  was  made  that  eight  mips  were  feen  in  the  offing, 
Handing  towards  the  Hook.  The  men-of-war  and  tenders  are 
ftill  up  the  river.  They  have  never  attempted  to  pafs  tne 
Highland  fortifications  j  and,  a  day  or  two  ago,  quitted  their 
ilatioB,  and  fell  dow;i  the  river  eight  or  ten  miles.  The  vigi- 
lance  and  a&ivity  of  the  militia  oppofite  where  they  were,  have 
prevented  their  landing  and  doing  much  injury.— -One  poor pea- 
fant's  cot  they  plundered  and  then  burnt. 

I  would  wim  to  know  whether  the  allowance  given  to  offi- 
cers, the  feventeenth  of  January,  of  a  dollar  and  one-third  for 
every  man  they  enlift,  Congrefe  mean  to  extend  to  the  officers 

who 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON'^; 

xvho  entift  for  the  new  army  for  three  years.  At  firft  it  may 
appear  wrong,  or  rather  exorbitant,  fuppofing  that  many  will 
be  recruited  out  of  the  regiments  now  in  fervice,  and  under 
them  :  but  the  allowance  will  be  of  great  ufe,  as  it  will  intereft 
the  officers,  and  call  forth  their  exertions  which  other  wile 
would  be  faint  and  languid.  Indeed  I  am  fearful,  from  the 
inquiries  I  have  made,  $hat  their  utmofl  exertions  will  be  at- 
tended with  but  little  fuccefs.  It  is  objected  that  the  bounty 
of  tea  dollars  is  too  low  j  and  argued, — "  if  the  dates,  furnim- 
ing  men  for  f.ve  or  fix  months,  allow  confiderable  more,  why 
iliould  that  be  accepted  when  the  term  of  enliilment  is  to  be 
for  three  years  ?" — I  heartily  with  a  bounty  in  land  had  been 
or  could  be  given,  as  was  propofed  fome  time  ago.  I  think  it 
\vould  be  attended  with  falutary  confequences. 

In  confequence  of  my  application  to  governor  Trumbull,  he 
lias  fent  me  two  row-gallics;  and  I  expect  another  from  him. 
None  from  governor  Cooke  are  yet  come  5  nor  have  I  heard 
from  him  on  the  fubjecl. — One  is  complete  here. — The  fire- 
fhips  are  going  on  under  Mr.  Anderfon's  direction,  but  rather 
{lowly  5  and  I  am  preparing  fome  obflruftions  for  the  channel 
nearly  oppoiite  the  works  at  the  upper  end  of  this  ifland. — 
When  all  things  are  ready,  I  intend  to  try,  if  it  fliall  feem 
practicable,  to  deflroy  the  mips  and  tenders  above,  and  to  em- 
ploy  the  gallies,  if  they  can  be  of  advantage. 

The  militia  for  the  flying  camp  come  in  but  flowly.  By  a 
return  from  general  Mercer  yefterday,  they  are  but  little  more 
than  three  thoufand.  If  they  xvere  in,  or  can  be  there  fliortly, 
and  the  fituation  of  the  enemy  remains  the  fame,  I  would  make 
fome  efforts  to  annoy  them,  keeping  our  polls  here  well  guard- 
ed, and  not  putting  too  much  to  the  hazard,  or  in  any  manner 
to  the  rilk. 

1  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c.  G.  W. 


SIR,  New-Tort,  July  29,   1776, 

YOUR  favor  of  the  twenty-fourth  I  received  on  faturday 
evening,  and,  agreeable  to  your  requeft*  mall  expunge  the 
preamble  to  the  refolution  fubje&ing  the  property  of  fubjeCls  tq 
the  Britifli  crown  to  forfeiture  and  confiscation. 

Our  flock  of  mulket-powder  is  entirely  made  up  into  car- 
tridges. I  therefore  requeil  that  Congrefs  will  order  four  or 
five  tons  more  of  that  foit  to  be  immediately  forwarded )  it  be- 


OFFICIAL    LETTERS.  .173 

ing  not  only  neceffary  that  we  mould  have  more  for  that  pur* 
pole,  but  alib  fome  itock  to  remain  in  barrels. 

Yefterday  evening  Hutchinfon's  and  Sergeant's  regiments 
from  Bofton  arrived:  alfo  two  row-gallies  from  Rhode-Ifland. 
— I  am  fearful  the  troops  have  not  got  entirely  clear  of  the 
fmall-pox.  I  mall  ufe  every  poffible  precaution  to  prevent  the 
infedion  fpreading  j  and,  for  that  purpofe,  have  ordered  theia 
to  an  encampment  feparate  and  detached  from  the  reft. 

By  fcUurday's  report  from  Long-Ifland  camp,  five  fhip.s,  a 
brig,  and  five  fchooners  had  got  into  the  Hook  j — by  yefter- 
day7s,  two  {hips  more,  and  a  {loop,  were  ftanding  in. — What 
they  are,  I  have  not  been  able  to  learn. 

I  have  tranfmitted  a  general  return  herewith,  by  which 
Congrefs  will  perceive  the  whole  of  our  force  at  the  time  it 
was  made. 

I  have  inclofed  you  an  account  of  the  fundry  prizes,  which 
was  tranfmitted  to  fevcral  gentlemen  here  by  faturday's  poft. 
The  two  laft  prizes  1  did  not  fee  mentioned  in  the  letters 
(hewn  me  j  and  I  fear  the  report  of  the  fecond  provifion-veflel 
is  premature. — I  was  alfo  this  minute  informed  that  captain 
Biddle  had  taken  a  {hip  with  fugars,  for  Britain,  and,  in  bring- 
ing her  in,  unfortunately  loft  her  on  Fifher's-Iiland. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,   &.c.  G.  \V; 


SIR,  New-York,  ^^30,   1776". 

I  WAS  this  morning  honored  with  your  two  favors  of  yef- 
terday's  date  j  and,  agreeable  to  your  requeft,  have  given  Mr* 
Palfrey  liberty  to  negociate  your  claim  with  Mr.  Brimmer,  and 
wiih  it  may  be  fatisfied  agreeably  to  you. 

I  laft  night  received  a  letter  from  general  Schuyler,  a  copy 
of  which  I  do  myfelf  the  honor  to  tranfmit  you.  You  will 
thereby  perceive  his  reafons  for  leaving  Crown-Point,  and  pie- 
ferring  the  poft  the  council  of  officers  determined  to  take  oppo- 
iite  to  Ticorideroga. — I  am  totally  unacquainted  with  thofe  fe.- 
veral  pofts  and  the  country  about  them,  and  therefore  cannot 
determine  on  the  validity  of  his  obfervations,  or  think  myfelf  at 
liberty  to  give  any  direction  in  the  matter. 

Congrefs  will  pleafe  to  obferve  what  he  fays  of  their  diftrefs 
for  money.  From  hence  he  can  have  no  relief,  there  being  on- 
ly about  three  or  four  thoufand  dollars  in  the  paymafter's  hands 
according  to  his  return  this  morning, — and  all  but  two  months* 
pay  due  to  the  army,  befides  many  other  demands.—-!  could 

wifh 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON'S 

wlfn  that  proper  fupplies  of  money  could  be  always  kept :— th$ 
want  may  occafion  confequences  of  an  alarming  nature. 

By  a  letter  from  him,  of  a  prior  date  to  the  copy  inclofed,  he 
tells  me  that  a  Mr.  Ryckman,  who  has  juft  returned  through 
.  the  country  of  the  Six-Nation?,  reports  that  the  Indians  who 
were  at  Philadelphia  have  gone  home  with  very  favorable 
ideas  of  our  iirength  and  refcurces.  This  he  heard  in  many  of 
their  villages  : — a  luckly  ci  re  urn:1!  a  nee,  if  it  will  either  gain 
their  friendmin  or  fecure  their  ne.:  : .  I  ty. 

In  my  letter  of  the  twenty-'c-:  t:iiv.;>  1  informed  Congrefs  of 
my  views  to  attempt  fomething  againfl  the  troops  on  Staten-If- 
land.  I  slm  now  to  acquaint  them,  that,  by  the  advice  of  gene- 
ral Mercer  and  other  oftlcers  at  Ambcy,  it  will  be  impractica- 
ble to  do  any  thing  upon  a  large  fcale,  for  want  of  craft,  and  as 
the  enemy  have  the  entire  command  of  water  all  round  the  If- 
land. — I  have  defired  general  .Mercer  to  have  nine  or  ten  flat- 
bottomed  boats  built  at  Newark-bay  and  Elizabeth-town,  with 
a  defign  principally  to  keep  up  the  communication  acrofs  ITack- 
iafac  and  Paffaic  rivers,  which  I  deem  a  matter  of  great  import- 
ance, and  r>:ctrernely  neceffaty  to  be  attended  to. 

Since  I  wrote  you  yefterday,  eleven  (hips  more,  four  brigs, 
and  two  {loops,  have  come  into  the  Hook.  I  have  not  yet  re- 
ceived intelligence  what  any  of  tlae  late  arrivals  are  ;  but  I  fup- 
pofe  we  mall  not  long  remain  in  a  ilate  of  uncertainty/ 

Having  reafoii  to  believe  that  Iqrd  Howe  will  readily  come 
into  an  exchange  of  fuch  prifoners  as  may  be  more  immediately 
imder  his  command,  r.nd  that  fomething  will  be  offered  on  this 
fabjecb  within  a  day  or  two,  or  rather  come  in  anfwer  to  the 
propoiitions  I  have  made  general  Howe,  I  fhould  be  glad  to 
have  Congrefs's  interpretation  of'^he  refolve  of  the  twenty-fe- 
cond  inftant,  empowering  the  commanders  to  exchange,  &c. 
— whether,  by  the' word  ^failor?  they  mean  failors  generally," 
as  well  thofe  taken  in  the  veffels  of  private  adventurers  by  the 
enemy,  as  thofe  belonging  to  the  continental  cruifers,  or  veffels 
in  the  continent's  employ  \  ou:  whether  they  only  defign  to 
extend  the  exchange  to  the  latter, — thofe  in  their  particular 
employ. 

I  v/ould  alfo  obferve,  that,  heretofore,  failors  belonging  to 
merchant  (hips  that  have  fallen  into  our  hands,  and  thofe  em- 
ployed merely  as  tra.nfports,  have  not  generally  been  confidered 
as  prifone's. — I  fubmit  it  to  Congrefs  whether  it  may  not  be 
now  neceiT.iry  to  pals  a  refolve  declaring  their  fentiments  on, 
this  fubje£r.,  and,  in  general,  who  are  to  be  treated  as  prifoners 
of  war,  that  are  taken  on  boaid  vcTvk  belonging  to  the  i'ub- 


OFFICIAL    LETTERS.  ifjr 

jeSs  of  the  Britifh  crown,  .&c. — The  refult  of  their  opinion  up- 
on the  firft  queftion  propoTed,  you  will  be  pleafed  to  tranfmit 
me  by  the  earlier!  opportunity. 

I  have  inclofed,  for  the  coiifide ration  of  Congrefs,  a  memo- 
rial  and  petition  by  captain  Holdridge,  praying  to  be  relieved 
againft  the  lofs  of  money  ftolen  from  him, — not  conceivino-  my- 
felf  authorifed  to  grant  his  req'ueft,  The  certificae  which  at- 
tends it  proves^him  to  be  a  man  of  character  ;  and  his  cafe  is 
hard,  on  his  ilate  of  it. — Whether  making  the  lofs  good  may 
not  open  a  door  to  others,  and  give  rife'  to.  applications  not  fo 
juft  as  his  may  bs,  I  cannot  determine. — That  feems  to  be  the 
only  objection  to  relieving  him. 

I  am  informed  by  general  Putnam  that  there  are  fome  of  the 
Stockbridge  Indians  here  (I  have  not  feen  them  myfelf)  who 
exprefs  great  uneafinefr  at  their  not  being  employed  by  us,  and 
Jiave  come  to  inquire  into  the  caufe.  I  am  fenfible  Congrefs 
had  them  not  in  contemplation  when  they  refolved  that  Indians 
might  be  engaged  in  our  fervice.  However,  as  they  feem  fo* 
anxious, — as  they  were  led  to  eiped  it,  from  what  general 
Schuyler  and  the  other  commiffioners  did, — as  we  are  under 
difficulties  in  getting  men,  and  there  maybe  danger  of  their  (or 
fome  of  them)  taking  an  unfavorable  part,  I  beg  leave  to  fub- 
foit  it  as  my  opinion,  under  all  thefe  circumftances^  that  they 
Jiad  better  be  employed. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,   &c.  G.  W 


SIR>  ^  New-York,  Augvjl  2,   1776* 

_  YOUR  favor  of  the  thirtieth  ultimo,  with  its  feveral  In- 
clofures,  I  was  honored  with  by  wednefday's  poft. 

Congref«>  having  been  pleafed  to  leave  with  me  the  uirecliorr 
of  colonel  \Vard's  regiment,  I  have  Wrote  to  governor  Trura- 
bull,  and  requeued  him  to  order  their  march  to  this  place,  be- 
ing fully  fatisfied  that  the  enemy  mean  to  make  their  grand  puih 
in  this  quarter,  and  that  the  good  of  the  fervice  requires  every 
aid  here  that  can  be  obtained.  I  have  alfo  wrote  to  colonel 

Elmore,  and  directed  him  to  repair  hither  with  his  r.epiment. 

When   it  comes,   I  {hall  fill  up  commifiions  for  fuch <ofrice-rs  as 
appear  with  their  refpe&ive  companies. 

Colonel  Holman,  with  a  regiment  from  the  Maflachufettg 
"ate,  is  arrived.  Colonel  Gary  from  thence  is  alfo  here,  wak- 
Mg  the  arival  of  his  regiment  which  he  hourly  expecls'.  He 
•"*dst  whcrj  be  left  Ncw-Loadon  he  heard  that  the  thud  regk 

merit 


276  GENERAL  WASHINGTON'S 

znent  from  the  Maffachufetts  was.almoft  ready,  and  would  foca 
be  in  rao'-ion* 

The  enemy's  force  is  daily  augmenting  and  becoming  ilron- 
gci  by  new  arrivals.  Yefterday,  general  Greene  reports  that 
about  forty  fail,  including  tenders,  came  into  the  Hook.  What 
they  are,  or  what  thofe  have  brought  that  have  lately  got  in, 
I  remain  un-informcd.  However,  I  think  it  probable  they  are 
part  of  lord  Howe's  Meet,  with  the  Hcffian  troops  : — it  is  time 
to  look  for  them. 

J  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c.  G.   W. 

P.  8.  I  am  extremely  forry  to  inform  Congrefs  our  troops 
are  vcrj-  fickly. 


SIR,  New-York,  Augufi  5,   1776* 

I  WAS  honored  with  your  favor  of  the  thirty-firft  ultimo 
on  friday,  with  its  feveral  inclofures  \  and  return  you  my  thanks 
for  the  agreeable  intelligence  you  were  pleafed  to  commuicate, 
of  the  arrival  of  one  of  our  mips  with  fuch  valuable  articles 
as  arms  and  ammunition,  alfo  of  the  captuie  made  by  a  priva- 
teer. 

The  mode  for  the  exchange  of  prifoners,  refolved  on  by 
Congrefs,  is  acceded  to  by  general  Howe,  fo  far  as  it  comes 
^ithin  his  command.  A  copy  of  my  letter  and  his  anfwer  up- 
on this  fubjecl:  I  have  the  honor  to  incloie  you  j  to  which  I  beg 
leave  to  refer  Congrefs. 

The  inclofed  copy  of  a  letter  from  colonel  Tupper,  \vho  had 
the  general  command  of  th-e  gallies  here,  will  inform  Congrefs 
of  the  engagement  between  them  and  the  {hips  of  war  up  the 
North-river,  on  faturday  evening,  and  of  the  damage  we  fuf- 
tained.  What  injury  was  done  to  the  (hips,  I  cannot  afcertain. 
It  is  faid  they  were  hulled  feveral  times  by  our  mot.  All  ac- 
counts agree  that  our  officers  and  men,  during  the  whole  of  the 
affair,  behaved  with  great  fpirit  and  biavery.  The  damage 
done  the  gallies  fhews  beyond  queition,  that  they  had  a  warm 
time  of  it. —The  (hips  tlill  remain  up  the  river  j  and,  before^ 
any  thing  further  can  be  attempted  againfl  tiiem  (mould  it  be> 
thought  advifable),  the  gallies  mud  be  repaired. 

I  have  alfo  transmitted  Congrefs  a  copy  of  a  letter  I  received, 
by  faturday's  poit  from  governor  Cooke,  to  wThich  I  refer  them 
for  the  intelligence  it  contains.  This  feizure  of  our  veffels  by 
the  Portuguefe  is,  I  fear,  an  event  too  true.  Their  depen-i 
deuce  upon  the  Britilh  crown  for  aid  agaifift.tke  Spaniards  mult 

force,' 


OFFICIAL    L  E  T  T  E  R  S.  v*jr? 

force  them  to  comply  with  every. thing  required  of  them. — 
I  wifh  the  Morris  may  get  fafe  in  with  her  cargo. — As  to  the 
fhips  captain  JBuchlin  Taw  on  the  twenty-fifth  ultimo,  they  are 
probably  arrived  :  for  yeiterday  twenty-five  fail  came  into  the 
Hook. 

By  a  letter  from  general  Ward,  of  the  twenty-ninth  ultimo, 
he  informs  me  that  two  of  our  armed  veflels,  the  day  before, 
had  brought  into  Marblehead  a  (hip  bound  from  Halifax  to 
Staten-liland.  She  had  in  about  fifteen  hundred  and  nine 
pounds'  worth  of  British  goods,  bendes  a  good  many  belonging; 
to  tories.  A  Halifax  paper,  found  on  board  her,  I  have  inclof- 
cd,  as  alfo  an  account  fent  me  by  Mr.  Hazard,  tranfmitted 
him  by  fome  of  his  friends,  as  given  by  the  tories  taken  in  her. 
The  intelligence,  I  dare  fay,  is  true,  refpecUng  the  arrival  of 
part  of  the  Heffian  troops. — General  Ward  in  his  letter  men- 
tions, that,  the  day  this  prize  was  taken,  captain  Burke,  in  ano- 
ther of  our  armed  veffels,  had  an  engagement  with  a  £hip  and 
a  fchooner  which  he  thought  were  tranfports,  and  would  have 
taken  them,  had  it  not  been  for  an  unlucky  accident  in  having 
his  quarter-deck  blown  up.  Two  of  his  men  were  killed,  a ndl 
feveial  more  were  wounded. 

The  hulks  and  chevaux  de-frife,  that  have  been  preparing  to 
obftrucl  the  channel,  have  got  up  to  the  place  they  are  intend- 
ed for,  and  will  be  funk  as  fbon  as  pofnble. 

I  have  tranfmitted  Congrefs  a  general  return  of  the  army  in 
and  about  this  place  on  the  third  inftarit,  by  which  they  will 
perceive  the  amount  of  our  force. 

Before  I  conclude,  I  would  beg  leave  to  remind  Congrefs 
of  the  neceility  there  is  of  having  fome  major-generals  appoint- 
ed fer  this  army,  the  .duties  of  which  are  grer.t,  extenfive,  and 
impoflible  to  be  difcharged  as  they  ought  and  the  good  of  the. 
fervice  requires,  without  a  competent  number  of  officers  of  this 
rank.  I  mean  to  write  more  fully  Upon  the  fubjecT: :  and,  a* 
things  are  drawing  fait  to  an  iifue,  and  it  is  neceffary  to  ma-iex 
every  proper  difpoiition  and  arrangement  that  we  podlbly  can, 
I  pray  that  this  matter  may  be  taken  into  consideration,  and 
claim  their  early  attention. — I  well  know  what  has  prevented 
appointments  of  this  fort  for  fome  time  paft  :  but  the  iituation 
of  our  affairs  will  not  juftify  longer  delays  in  this  inftance. — 
By  the  firfl  opportunity,  I  fhall  take  the  liberty  of  giving  you 
my  fentiments  more  at  large  upon  the  propriety  and  necefiity 
of  the  rueafurc. —  I  have  the  honor  to  bs,  &c.  G.  W. 


Z  Ntw- 


378  GENERAL  WASHINGTON^ 


SIR,:  Ne-w-Tor^  Augiijl  7,   177$; 

IN  rny  letter  of  the  fifth,  which  I  had  the  honor  of  ad- 
drafting  you,  I  begged  leave  to  recall  the  attention  of  Congrefs 
to  the  abiolute  neceffity  there  is  for  appointing  more  general 
officers,—  promifiing  at  the  fame  time,  by  the  firft  opportunity, 
to  give  my  fentiments  more  at  large  upon  the  fubje6t. 

Confident  I  am  that  the  postponing  this  meafure  has  not 
proceeded  from  motives  of  frugality  :  otherwife  I  fhould  take 
the  liberty  of  atte&ipting  to  prove  that  we  put  too  nuich  to  the 
hazard  by  fuch  a  faving.  —  I  am  but  too  well  appriied  of  the  dif- 
ficulties that  occur  in  the  choice.  They  are,  I  acknowledge, 
great  \  but  at  the  fame  time  it  mtift  be  allowed,  they  are  of 
ihch  a  nature  as  to  piefent  themfelves  whenever  the  fubject  is 
thought  of.  Time  on  the  one  hand  does  not  remove  them  }  on 
the  other,  delay  may  be  productive  of  fatal  confequences. 

This  army,  though  far  mort  as  yet  of  the  numbers  intended 
by  Congrefs,  is  by  much  two  unwieldy,  for  the  command  of 
any  one  man,  without  feveral  major-generals  to  aflift.  For  it- 
is  to  be  obfcrved,  that  a  brigadier-general  at  the  head  of  his 
brigade,  is  no  more  than  a  colonel  at  the  head  of  a  regiment, 
except  that  he  ads  upon  a  larger  fcale.  Officers  of  more  gene- 
ral command  are  at  all  times  wanted  for  the  good  order  and 
government  of  an  army,  especially  when  the  aimy  is  compoic-d 
chiefly  of  raw  troops  ;  but  in  an  aclion  they  are  indifpenlably 
neceffary.-  —  At  prefent  there  is  but  one  major-general  for  this 
•whole  department  and  the  flying  camp  j  whereas,  at  this  place 
alone,  left  than  three  cannot  discharge  the  duties  with  that  re- 
gularity they  ought  to  be. 

If  theft  major-generals  are  appointed,  as  undoubtedly  they 
will,  out  of  the  prefent  brigadiers,  you*  will  want  for  this 
place  three  brigadiers  at  leaft.  —  The  northern  department  will 
require  one,  if  not  two  (as  general  '1  hompion  is  a  prilbner^ 
and  the  baron  Woedtkc  reported  to  be  dead  or  in  a  itate  not 
much  better),  there  being  at  pi'efent  only  one  brigadier-  general 
(Arnold)  in  all  that  department.-^-For  the  ea/lern  govern- 
ments there  ought  to  be  one,  or  a  major-general,  to  iupeiin- 
tend  the  regiments  there,  and  to  prevent  impofitions  that  might 
otherwife  be  praclifed.  —  Thefe  make  tki  number  wanted  to  be 
lix  or  fevcn  :  and  who  are  to  be  i  ppo'inted,  Congrefs  can  bell 
judge. 

To  make  brigadiers  of  the  cWeft  .:o!or>t?s  wjMsJd  be  the  leafl 
exceptionable  way  :  but  it  is  miu^  t<;  be  -peJlioned,  whether 
by  that  mode  tlie  ablcii  men  ^vo^lj^l  bw  <;  .ppointtd  to  office. 

Audi 


OFFICIAL     LETTERS  17$ 

And  I  would  obferve,  though  the  rank  of  the  colonels  of  the 
caftern  governments  was  fettled  !&  Cambridge  laft  year,  it  only 
refpefttid  therni'elves,  and  is  ftill  open  as  to  officers  of  other 
governments.  To  pick,  a  colonel-  here  and,  a 'colonel  there 
through  the  array,  according  to  the  opinion  .en^artained  of  their 
abilities,  would  no  dotibt  be  the  means  of  making  a  better 
choice,  and  nominating  the  fitteft  perfons  :  but  then  the  fenior 
officers  would  get  difguited,  and,  more  than  probable,  with 
their  connexions,  o^uit  the  fervice.— That  might  prove  fatal- at 
this  time.— -To  appoint  gentlemen  as  brigadiers  that  had  not 
ferved  in  this  army  (in  tLis  part  of  it  at  le^ft),  would  not 
wound  'any  one  in  particular,  but  hurt  the  whole  equally,  and 
mult  be  confidered  in  a  very  difcouraging  light  by  every  officer 
.of  merit. — View. the  matter  therefore  in  any  point  of  light  you 
will',  there  are  inconvenjencies  on  the  one  hand,  and  difficulties 
on  the  other,  which  ought  to  b£  avoided. — Would  they  be  re- 
medied by  appointing  the  oldeil  colonels  from  each  itate  ? — . 
If  this  mode  ihould  fye  thought  expedient,  the  inclofed  lift 
gives  the  names  of  the  colonels,  from  New-Hampfhire  to  Penn- 
fylvania  inclulive,  fpecifying  thofe  who  rank  firll,  as  I  am  told, 
in  the  feveral  colony  lifts. 

I  have  tranfmjtted  a  copy  of  a  letter  from  Mr.  John  Glpver, 
felting  forth  the  nature  and  grounds  of  a  difpute  between  him 
and  a  Mr.  Bradford,  refpeiling  their  agency.  Not  conceiving 
myfelf  authorifcd,  nor  having  the  fmalled  inclination  to  inter- 
fere in  any  degree  in  the  matter,  it  is  referred  to  Congrefs, 
who  will  determine  and  give  direction  upon  it  in  fuch  manner 
as  they  (hall  judge  belt.  I  will  only  obferve,  that  Mr.  Glover 
was  recommended  to  me  as  a  proper  perfon  for  an  agent,  fvheij 
we  firft  fitted  out  armed  veffels,  and  was  accordingly  appointed 
one  7  and  fo  far  as  I  know,  difcharged  his  office  with  fidelity 
and  induftiy. 

I  receiytjil  yefterday  evening  a  letter  from  general  Schuyler, 
containing  lieutenant  Mc Michael's  report,  who  had  been  fent 
a  fcout  to  Ofwego.  A  copy  of  the  report  I  have  inclofed  for 
the  information  of  Congrefs,  leit  general  Schuyler  mould  have 
omitted  it  in  kis  letter  which  accompanies  this.  He  was  at  the 
German-Flats  when  he  wrote,  \vhich  was  the  fecond  inltant, 
and  the  treaty  with  the  Indians  not  begun  ;  nor  had  the  whole 
expefted,  then  arrived.  But  of  thefe  things  he  will  have  ad- 
yifed  you  more  fully,  I. make  no  doubt. 

The  paymailer  informs  me  he  received  a  fupply  of  money 
yefterday.  It  came  very  feaibinbly  :  for  the  applications  and 

clamors 


jgo  GENERAL  WASHINGTON'S 

clamors   of  the  troops  had  become  inceffant  and  diitrefling  be- 
yond meafure. — There  is  now  two  month's  pay  due  to  them. 
I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c.  G.  W. 


SIR, 

SINCE  doling  the  letter  which  I  had  the  honor  to  write 
you  this  morning,  two  deferters  have  come  in,  who  left  the 
Soiebay  man-of-war  lail  evening.  One  of  them  is  a  native  ot 
New- York.  Their  account  is  that  they  were  in  the  engage- 
ment with  colonel  Moultrie  at  Sullivan's  Ifland  on  the  ninth  of 
July — (the  particulars  they  give  nearly  correipond  with  the 
narrative  feat  by  general  Lee)  j — -that  they  left  Carolina  three 
Weeks  ago  as  a  convoy  to  forty-five  tranfports  having  on  board 
general  Clinton,  lord  Cornwailis,  and  the  whole  fouthern  army, 
confiding  of  about  three  thoufand  men,  all  of  whom  were  land- 
ed lavt  week  on  Staten-Ifland  in  tolerable  health  -7 — that,  on 
iunday,  thirteen  tranfports,  part  of  lord  Howe's  fleet,  and  hav- 
ing on  board  Heilians  and  Highlanders,  carne  to  Staten-Ifland  ^ 
— that  the  remainder  of  the  fleet,  which  was  reported  to  have, 
in  the  whole,  twelve  thoufancl  men,  had  parted  with  thefe 
troops  off  the  banks  of  Newfoundland,  and  were  expected  to 
come  in  every  moment-, — that  they  were  getting  their  heavy 
carriages  and  cannon  on  board,  had  launched  eight  gondolas 
\vith  flat  bottoms,  and  two  rafts  or  itages  to  carry  cannon. 

Thefe  men  understand  that  the  attack  will  foon  be  made  if 
the  other  troops  arrive  j — that  they  give  out  they  will  lay  the 
Jerieys  watte  with  fire  and  fword  ',— that  the  computed  ftrength 
of  their  army  will  be  thirty  thoufand  men.  They  further  add, 
that,  when  they  left  Carolina,  one  tranfpqrt  got  on  fhore,  fo 
that  they  were  not  able  to  give  her  relief  j  upon  which,  ihe 
furrendered,  with  live  companies  of  Highlanders,  to  general 
Lee,  who,  after  taking  every  thing  valuable  out  of  her,  burnt 
her  j — that  the  admiral  turned  general  Clinton  out  of  his  ihip 
after  the  engagement,  with  a  great  deal  of  abufe  j — great  dif- 
ferences between  the  principal  naval  and  military  gentlemen  ; 
— that  the  (hips  left  in  Carolina,  are  now  in  fuch  a  weakly  dif- 
treffed  condition,  they  would  fall  an  eafy  prey. 

I  am,  fir,  with  great  refpeft,  &c.  G.  W. 

ilead-^narters,  New-York,  Augujl  7,   1776. 
on*  o'clock  P.  M. 

The  fhips  are  changing  their  pofition,  and  the  men-of-war 
vqrmmg  ^nto  a  line ;  but  I  ilill  thiiik  they  will  wait  the  arrival 

of 


O  F  F  I  C  I  A  L   L  E  T  T  E  R  & 

the   remaining  Heflians  before  any  general  attack  will 
de.  —  Monday's  return  will  fhew  our  ilrcngth  here. 


be 


SIR,  New-Tort,  dujitjl  8,   1776. 

BY  yeflerday  morning's  poft,  I  was  honored  with  your 
favor  of  the  fecond  inilant,  with  fundry  refolutions  of  Congrefs, 
to  which  1  mall  pay  ftrict  attention. 

As  the  proportion  for  employing  the  Stockbridge  Indians 
lias  been  approved,  i  have  wrote  to  Mrf  .lEfd^ards,  one  of  the 
commillioners,  and  who  lives  among  theni,  requeuing  him  to 
engage  them,  or  fuch  as  are  willing,  to  enter  the  T^rvice.  I 
Ijave  directed  him  to  indulge  them  with  liberty  to  j^In  this  or 
the  northern  army,  or  both,  as  their  inclinations  mgy  lead. 

I  with  the  falutary  confequences  may  refult  £*om  the  regular 
tion  refpec~ling  feamen  taken,  that  Congrefs  have  in  view. 
From  the  nature  of  this  kind  of  people,  and  the  privileges 
granted  on  their  entering  into  our  fervice,  I  mould  fuppofc  ma- 
ny of  them  will  do  it We  want  them  much. 

I  yeilerday  tranfmitted  the  intelligence  I  received  from  the 
deferters  from  the  Solebay  man-of-war. — The  inclofed  copy  of 
a  letter  by  latl  night's  poft,  from  the  honorable  Mr.  Bowdoin, 
xvith  the  information  of  a  captain  Kennedy  lately  taken,  corro- 
borate their  accounts-  refpeaing  the  Heflian  troops.  Indeed 
his  report  makes  the  fleet  and  armament,  to  be  employed  a- 
gainft  us,  greater  than  we  have  heard  they  would  be.  Howe- 
ver, there  remains  no  doubt  of  their  being  both  large  and  for-« 
midable,  and  fuch  as  will  require  our  moil  vigorous  exertions 
to  oppole  them.  Perfuaded  of  this,  and  knowing  how  much 
inferior  our  numbers  are  and  will  be.  to  theirs  when  the  whole 
of  their  troops  arrive, — of  the  important  confequences  that 
may  and  will  flow  from  the  appeal  that  will  foon  be  made, — I 
have  wrote  to  Connecticut  and  New-Jerfey,  for  all  the  fuccouc 
they  can  afford,  and  alfo  to  the  convention  of  this  flate. — What 
I  may  receive,  and  in  what  time,  the  event  muft  determine. 
But  I  would  fain  hope,  the  fituation  and  the  exigency  of  our 
affairs  will  call  forth  the  moft  ilrenuous  efforts  and  early  afliil-' 
ance  of  thofe  who  are  friends  to  the  caufe.  I  confeis  there  is 
but  too  much  occafion  for  their  exertions.  I  confidently  trull 
they  will  not  be  withheld. 

I  have  inclofed  a  copy  of  a  letter  from  Mr.  Bowdoin  refpecl- 
ing  the  eailern  Indians.  Congrefs  will  thereby,  perceivs  that 
they  profefs  themfclvcs  to  be  well  attached  to  our  intcreil, — 


igs  GENERAL  WASHINGTON'S 

and  the  fummary  of  the  meafures  taken  to  engage  tliem  in 
our  fervice.  I  have  the  treaty  at  large  between  the  honorable 
.council  of  the  MaiTadiufetts,  on  behalf  of  the  United  States, 
with  the  delegates  of  the  Saint- John's  and  Mikrnac  tribes.  The 
probability  of  a  copy's  being  fent  already,  and  its  great  length, 
prevent  one  coming  herewith.  If  Congrefs  had  it  not  fofwaid- 
ed  to  them,  I  will  fend  a  copy  by  the  firit  opportunity  iifisr  no- 
tice that  it  has  not  been  received. 

.Auguft  9.— ——By  a  report  received  from  general  Greene  Ja(l 
night,  at  funfet  and  a  little  after,  about  a  hundred  boats  were 
feen  bringing  traps  i.  rom  Staten-Iiland  to  the  {hips,  three  of 
which  had  JLilen  dow  n  towards  the  Narrows,  having  taken  in 
jfoldiers  fr<bi  thirty  of  the  boats.  He  adds,  that,  by  the  belt 
obfervatiorti  of  feveraJi  officers,  there  appeared  to  be  a  general 
embarkation'!, 

I  have  wrote  \*>  general  Mercei?  for  two  thoufand  men  from  the 
fiying  camp.  Colonel  Smallwood's  battalion,  as  p^rt  of  them, 
I  expefb  this  forenoon  :  but  where  the  reft  are  to  ?ome  from,  I 
know  not,  as,  by  the  general's  laft  ret.urn,  not  more  than  three 
or  four  hundred  of  the  new  levies  had  got  in. 
'  In  my  letter  of  the  fifth  I  inclofed  a  general  return  of  the  ar* 
m^  under  my  immediate  command  :  but  I  imagine  the  follow- 
ing ftate  will  £-I.\e  CongreFs  a  more  perfecY  idea,  tlipugh  not  a 
more  agreeable  one,  of  our  fituation.  For  the  feveral  pods  on 
Ndw-York,  Long  and  Governor's  iflands, 'and  Paii|us-Hook,  we 
have,'  fit  for  duty,  ten  thoufand  five  hundred  and  fourteen,-; — 
ilck  prefent,  three  thoufand  and  thirty-nine — fick  abfcnt,  fix  hun- 
dred and  twenty-nine, — on  command,  two  thoufand  nine  hun- 
dred and  forty-fixr-^on  furlough,  ninety-feven, — total,  feven- 
teen  thoufand  t\vo  hundred  and  twenty-five.  In  addition  to 
thefe,  we  are  only  certain  of  colonel  Smallwcod's  battalion  in 
cafe  of  an  immediate  attack.  Our  p-ofls  are  too  much  divid- 
ed, having  waters  between  many  of  them,  and  iome  diltaut  from 
others,  fifteen  miles.  Tbefe  circumftances,  fufficiently  diilrelT- 
zng  of  themfelves,  are  much  aggravated  by  the  fickneis  that 
prevails  through  the  army.  Every  day  more  or  lefs  are  ta- 
ken down  ;  fo  that  the  proportion  of  men  that  may  come  in  can- 
not be  confidered  as  a  real  and  fcrviceable  augmentation  on  the, 
whole. 

Thefe  things  are  melancholy  ;  but  they  are  nevcrthelels  true. 
I  hope  for  better. — Under  every  difadvantage,  my  utmoft  exer- 
tions mall  be  employed  to  bring  about  the  great  end  we  have 
in  view  :  and,  fo  far  as 'I  can  judge  from  the  profefiions  and  ap- 
parent difpofition  of  my  troops,  I  fa  all  have  their  fupport.  The 

Superiority 


OFFICIAL    LETTERS.  383 

fupeiiorlty  of  the  enemy  and  the  expelled  attack  do-*not  feeiri 
to  have  depreiTed  their  fpirits.  Thefe  confederations  lead  me 
to  think,  that,  though  the  appeal  may  not  terminate  fo  happily 
in  our  favor  as  I  could  wifii,  yet  they  will  not  iucceed  in  their 
views  without  confiderable  lofs.  Any  advantage  they  may  get^ 
I  truft,  will  coft  them  dear. 

Eight  o'clock ,  A.  M. 

By  the  reverend  Mr.  Madifon  and  a  Mr.  Johnfon,  two  gen- 
tlemen of  Virginia,  who  came  from  Staten-Jfland  yelierday^ 
tvhere  they  arrived  the  day  before  in  the  packet  with  colonel 
Guy  Johnfon,  I  am  informed  that  nothing  material  had  taken 
place  in  England  when  they  left  it  j — that  there  had  been  a 
change  in  the  French  minirlry.  which,  many  people  thought, 
foreboded  a  war  : — that  it  feemed  to  be  believed  by  many  that 
Congrefs  would  attempt  to  buy  yfT  the  foreign  troops,  and  that 
it  might  be  effected  without  great  difficulty.  Their  accounts 
fiom  Staten-Iiland  nearly  correfpond  with  what  we  had  before  3 
they  fay  that  every  preparation  is  making  for  an  attack  j — that 
the  force  now  upon  the  ifland  Js  about  fifteen  thoufand  j — that 
they  appear  very  impatient  for 'the  arrival  of  the  foreign  troops, 
but  a  very  fmall  part  having  got  jn.  Whether  they  wrould  at- 
t'empt  any  thing  before  they  come^  they  are;  uncertain :  but 
they  are  fure  they  will  as  foon  as  they  arrive,  if  not  before.—* 
They  fay,  from  what  they  could  colled  from  the  converfation 
of  officers,  6tc.  they  mean  to  hem  us  in  by  getting  above  us  and 
cutting  off  all  communication  with  the  country. 

That  this  is  their  plan,  feems  to  be  corroborated  and  con-» 
firmed  by  the  circumftance  of  fom.e  mips  of  war  going  out  at 
different  times  within  a  few  days  paft,  and  other  veffels.  It  is 
probable  that  a  part  are  to  go  round  and  come  up  the  Sound. 

Mr.  Madifon  fays  lord  Howe's  powers  were  not  known  when 
he  left  England  j~that  general  Conway  moved,  before  his>  de« 
parture,  ,that  they  might  be  laid  before  the  commons  5  and 
had  his  motion  rejected  by  a  large  majority. 

i  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c.  G.  W. 


SIR,  Ncw-Ttjr},  Atiguft  12,  1776.' 

I  HAVE  been  duly  honored  with  your  favors  of  the 
eighth  and  tenth  inftant,  with  their  feveral  inclofures.  I  {hall 
pay  attention  to  the  refolution  refpecling  lieutenant  Jofiah,  and 
attempt  to  relieve  him  from  his  rigorous  ufage.— Your  letters. 

tfl 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON'S 

to  fuch  of  the   gentlemen  as  were  here   Lave  been   delivered* 
The"  reft  will  be  fent  by  the  firft  opportunity. 

iiince  my  lail  of  the  eighth  and  ninth,  the  enemy  have  made 
no  movements  of  confequence.  They  remain  nearly  in  the  fame 
ilate  j  nor  have  we  any  further  intelligence  of  their  defigns. 
They  have  not  been  yet  joined  by  the  remainder  of  the  rlect 
with  ihe  Hefiian  troops. 

Colonel  bmallwood  and  his  battalion  got  in  on  friday  ;  and 
colonel  Miles  is  alfo  here  with  two  battalions  more  of  Pennfyl- 

riflemen. 

The  convention  of  this  flate  have  been  exerting  themfelves 
to  call  forth  a  portion  of  their  militia  to  an  encampment  form-* 
ing  above  Kingforidge,  to  remain  in  fervlce  for  the  fpace  of  one 
li  after  their  arrival  there  ;  and  alfo  half  of  thofe  in  King 
and  Queen's  counties,  to  reinforce  the  troops  on  Long-Ifland 
t-,!l  the  fir  ft  of  September,  unlefs  fooner  discharged.  General 
j  is  too  is  to  take  poll  with  his  brigade  on  the  Sound  and 
Jiudfor's -river  for  ten  days,  to  annoy  the  enemy  in  cafe  they 
attempt  to  land  j  and  others  of  their  militia  are  dire6led  to  be 
511  readiiv.-fs,  in  cafe  their  aid  ihould  be  acquired.  Upon  the 
%vhole,  from  the  information  I  have  from  the  convention,  the 
jmlitia  ordered  are  now  in  motion,  or  will  be  in  a  little  time, 
and  will  amount  to  about  three  thoufand  or  more.  From  Con- 
necticut, I  am  not  certain  what  iuccours  are  coming.  Ey  one 
cr  two  gentlemen  who  have  come  from  thence,  I  am  told  fome 
cf  the  iniiitia  are  aiiVmbling,  and,  from  the  intelligence  they 
had,  would  march  this  week. 

By  a  letter  from  governor  Trumbull,  of  the  fifth,  I  am  nd- 
vifed  that  the  troops  from  that  ft  ate,  de  timed  for  the  northern 
army,  had  marched  for  Skenefborough. — General  Ward  too, 
by  a  letter  of  the  fourth,  informs  me  that  the  regiments  would 
march  from  Bofton  lair,  week,  having  been  eleanfed  and  gene- 
lally  recovered  from  the  fmall-pox.  I  have  alio  countermand- 
ed my  orders  to  colonel  Elmore,  and  directed  him  to  join  the 
northern  army,  having  heard,  after  my  orders  to  Connecticut 
for  his  marching  hither,  that  he,  and  moil  of  his  regiment  were  at 
Albany  or  within  its  vicinity. — General  Ward  mentions  that 
the  council  of  the  Maffachufetts  ilate  will  have  in  from  two  or 
three  thoufand  of  their  militia  to  defend  their  lines  and  difitr- 
ent  polls,  in  lieu  of  the  regiments  ordered  from  thence  agreea- 
ble to  the  refolution  of  Congrels. 

The  inclofed  copy  of  a  refolve  of  this  (late,  pafTed  the  tenth 
inftant,  will  difcover  the  apprehenfion  they  are  under  of  the  defec- 
tion of  the  inhabitants  of  King's  county  from  the  common  cauic, 

and 


OFFICIAL    LETTERS. 

Wid  of  the  meafures  they  have  taken  thereupon.  I  have  dire£t~ 
«d  general  Greene  to  give  the  committee  inch  auiilance  as  he 
can,  and  they  may  require,  in  the  execution  of  their  commif- 
fion  ;  though  at  the  fame  time,  I  wiih  the  information  the 
convention  have  received  upon  the  fubje£l  may  prove  gr'ound- 
$efs. 

I  would  beg  leave  to  mention  to  Congrefs,  that,  in  a  1'etter  I 
received  from  general  Lee,  he  mentions  the  valuable  confequen- 
ces  that  would  relult  from  a  number  of  cavalry  being  employed 
in  the  fouthern  department.  Without  them  (to  ufe  his  own 
expreffions)  he  can  anfwer  for  nothing  :— — with  one  thoufand  he 
\vould  enfure  the  fafety  erf  thole  Hates.- — I  (hould  have  done 
myfelf  the  honor  of  fubmittirig  this  matter  to  Cortgrefs  before, 
at  his  particular  requeli,  had  it  not  efca£ed  my  mind. — Front 
his  acquaintance  with  that  country,  and  the  nature  of  the 
grounds,  I  doubt  not  he  has  weighed  the  matter  well,  and  pre- 
fume  he  has  fully  reprefented  the  advantages  that  would  arife 
from  the  eftabljihment  of.  fuch  a  cerps  :— all  I  mean,  is,  in  com- 
pliance with  his  reqiiifitipA,  to  mention  the  matter,  that  fucli 
"confideration  may  be  had  upon  it  (if  not .  already  determined} 
as  it  may  be  deferving  of. 

-I  have  tranfrnitted  a  general  return,  whereby  Congrefs  will 
perceive  the.  whole  of  pur  ftrcngth,  except  the  two  battalion* 
under  colonel  Miles,  which,  coming  fince  it  was  made  out,  are 
not  included. 

I  have  inclofed  a  letter  jvift  tome  to  han$l  from  Martinique,, 
Congrefs  will  pleafe  to  confider  of  the  purport,  favoring  me 
with  their  anfwer  and  a  return  of- the  letter. 

This  moment  (ten  o'clock)  feport  is  made  by  general  Greene 
that  a  man-of-war  came  in-yefterday,  and  thatlixty  fail  of  ihipa 
are  now  Handing  in. — No  doubt  tftey  are  a  further  part  of  the 
Heffian  fleet. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c,  Q.  W* 


Sis.,  Nei6-Tork>  Mgitfi  12, 

THIS  will  be  handed  to  you  by  colonel  *  *  *  from  the 
northern  army,,  whom,  the  inclofed  letter  and  proceedings  of  a 
general  court-martial  will  ihew  to  have  been  in  arrelt,  and  tri- 
ed .{'or  Aindry  matters  charged  againft  him.  As  tae  court-mar- 
tial was  by  order  of  the  commander  in  that  Department,, — the 
fuels  committed  there^ — the  trial  there,— I  am  much  at  a  lofjt 
to  know  why  the  proceedings  were  referred  to  r*e  to  approve 

A  a'  *  cr 


186  GENERAL  WASHINGTON1* 

or  difapprov*.  As  my  interfering  in  the  matter  would  carry 
much  impropriety  with  it,  and  fliew  a  want  of  regard  to  the 
rules  and  praclice  in  fuch  inftances, — and  as  colonel  *  *  *  is 
going  to  Philadelphia, — I  have  fubmitted  the  whole  of  the  pro- 
ceedings to  the  confideration  of  Congrefs  for  their  decifion  up- 
on his  cafe,— perfe£tly  convinced  that  fuch  determination  will 
be  had  therein,  as  will  be  right  and  juft. 

J  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c.  G.  W, 


SIR,  New-Tort,  dugujl  13,   1776. 

AS  there  is  reafon  to  believe  that  but  little  time  will  elapfe' 
before  the  enemy  make  their  attack,  I  have  thought  it  advifa- 
ble  to  remove  all  the  papers  in  my  hands,  respecting  the  affairs 
of  the  flates,  from  this  place.  I  hope  the  event  will  (hew  the 
precaution  was  neceffary  :  but  yet  prudence  required  that  it 
ihouid  be  done,  left  by  any  accident  they  might  fall  into  their 
hands.  They  are  all  contained  in  a  large  box,  nailed  up,  and 
committed  to  the  care  of  lieutenant-colonel  Reed,  brother  of 
the  adjutant-general,  to  be  delivered  to  Congrefs,  in  whofe 
cuftody  I  would  beg  leave  to  depolit  them  until  our  affairs 
{hall  be  fo  circumftanced  as  to  admit  of  their  return. 

The  enemy,  fince  my  letter  of  yeflerday,  have  received  a 
further  augmentation  of  thirty-fix  mips  to  their  fleet,  making 
the  whole  that  have  arrived  fince  yeflerday  morning,  ninety- 
fix. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c.  G.  W. 

P.  S.  I  would  obferve  that  I  have  fent  off  the  box  privately, 
that  it  might  raife  no  difagreeable  ideas  ;  and  have  enjoined 
Colonel  Reed  to  fecrecy. 


SIR,  New-York,  Auguft  14,   1776. 

SINCE  I  had  the  honor  of  addrefling  you  on  monday, 
nothing  of  importance  has  occurred  here,  except  that  the  ene- 
my have  received  an  augmentation  to  their  fleet,  of  ninety-fix 
ihips  : — fome  reports  make  them  more.  In  a  letter  I  wrote 
you  yefterda}*  by  lieutenant-colonel  Reed,  I  advifed  you  of 
this  :  but  prefuming  it  may  not  reach  you  fo  foon  as  this  will, 
I  have  thought  proper  to  mention  the  intelligence  again. 

Inclofed  I  have  the  honor  to  tranfmit  a  copy  of  the   exami- 
nation of  a  defcrter,  fent  me  this  morning  by  general  Mercer, 

to 


QFTICIAIi    LETTERS.  187 

to  which  I  beg  leave  19  refer  Congrefs  for  the  lateil  accounts  I 
have  from  the  enemy.  Whether  the  intelligence  he  has  given 
is  literally  true,  I  cannot  determine  :  but  as  to  the  attack,  we 
daily  expedt  it. 

Your  favor  of  the  tenth,  with  its  inclofures,  was  duly  re- 
ceived j  and  I  have  inftru&ed  the  feveral  officers  who  were 
promoted,  to  a&  in  their  ftations  as  you  requested,  though 
their  commiffions  were  not  fent. 

As  we  are  in  extreme*  want  of  tents  and  covering  for  this 
army, — a  great  part  of  fchofe  at  the  out-poils  having  nothing  to 
ihelter  them,  nor  houfes  to  go  into, — I  fubmit  it  to  Congrefs 
whether  it  may  not  be  prudent  to  remand  thofe  that  were  lately 
fent  to  Boflon,  where  there  are  no  troops  at  prefent  j  and,  if 
there  were,  the  necefllty  for  them  would  not  be  great,  as  the 
town,  and  barracks  at  feveral  of  the  pofts,  would  be  fufficient 
to  receive  them. 

The  jnclofed  letter  from  lieutenant-colonel  Henmaw  will  dif- 
cover  to  Cqngrefs  his  views  and  wiflies,  which  they  will  conn"- 
der  and  determine  on,  in  whatever  way  they  think  right  and 
conducive  to  the  public  good  j  meaning  only  to  lay  his  letter 
before  them. 

I  take  the  liberty  of  mentioning  that  colonel  Varnum  of 
Rhode-Ifland  has  been  with  me  this  morning  to  refign  his  com- 
miflion,  conceiving  himfelf  to  be  greatly  injured  in  not  having 
b«en  noticed  in  the  late  arrangement  and  promotion  of  general 
officers.-; — I  remonftrated  againft  the  impropriety  of  the  mea- 
fure  at  this  time  5  and  he  has  confented  to  flay  till  affairs  wear 
a  different  afpeft  from  what  they  do  at  prefent. 

Eleven  o' ]  clock. — By  a  report  juft  come  to  hand  from  general 
Greene,  twenty  (hips  more  are  coming  in. 

J  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c.  G.  W. 


S,IR,  New-York,  Auguft  14,    1776. 

THIS  will  be  delivered  you  by  captain  Moeballe,  a  Dutch 
gentleman  from  Surinam,  who  has  come  to  the  continent- with 
a  view  of  entering  into  the  fervice  of  the  ftates,  as  you  xvill  per- 
ceive by  the  inclofed  letters  from  Mr.  Browne  of  Providence, 
and  general  Greene.  What  other  letter?  and  credentials  he 
has,  I  know  not  -,  but,  at  his  requeft,  have  given  him  this  line 
to  Congrefs,  to  whom  he  wiihes  to  be  introduced,  and  where 
hp  will  make  his  pretenfions  known. 

I  have  ordered  the  quart er-maftcr  immediately  to  write  to 

Mr. 


i-,8*&  GENERAL    WASHINGTON^ 

Mr.  Browne  for  the  R.ufHa  duck  lie  menlions,  with  diiec"tiofjs- 
to  have  it  inftantly  made  into  tents  there, — being  in  great  dii^ 
trefs  for  want  of  a  fufficient  number  to  cover  out  troops. 

I  have  the  honor,  to  be,  &.C..  G.  W.- 


SIR,  Ncu'-Toi-£,  Augitft  15,   177^, 

AS  the  filiation  of  the  trvo  armies  mud  engage  the  atten- 
tion of  Congrefs,  and  lead  them  to  expe6b  that  each  returning 
day  will  produce  feme  important  events,  this  is  meant  to  in- 
form them  that  nothing  of  moment  has  yet  c  a  ft-  up.  In  the 
evening  of  yeftdrday  there  were  great  movements  among  their 
boats;  and,  from  'trie  number  that  appeared  to  be  pairing  and 
Ttpaffing  about  the  Narrows,  xve  were  induced  to  believe  they- 
intended  to  land  a  part  of  their  force  upon  Long-Iiland  :  but, 
having  no  report  from  general  Greene,  I  prefume  they  have 
riot  done  it. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c.  G.   W.. 

P.  -S.'  Y'our  favor  of  the  thirteenth  was  received  by  yefter- 
dny's  pofL — I  wrote  on  monday  by  the  return  exprefs,  as  you 
iuppofed. 


16, 

I  BEG  leave  to  inform  you,  that,  fince  I  had  the  plea- 
fare  of  addreriing  you  yeiierday,  nothing  intereiling  betweer* 
the  two  armies  has  happened.  Things  remain  nearly  in  the 
Jltuation  they  then  weTe. 

It  is  with  peculiar  regret  and  concern  that  I  have  an  oppor- 
tunity of  mentioning  to  Congrefs  the  lickly  condition  of  our 
troops.  In  fome  regiments  there  are  not  a?:y  of  the  field-offi- 
cers capable  of  doing  duty :  in  others  the  duty  is  extremely 
difficult  fur  want  of  a  fufficient  number.  I  have  been  obliged 
to  nominate  feme  till  Congrefs  transmit  the  appointments  of 
thofe  they  with  to  fucceed  to  the  icveral  vacancies  occafioned, 
by  the  late  promotions.  This,  being  a  matter  of  forne  coufe- 
quence,  I  prefume  will  have  their  early  attention,  and' that  they 
v/ill  fill  up  the  feveral  vacancies  ailo  mentioned  in  the  li(t  I  had 
the  honor  of  tranfmitting  fome  few  days  ago  to.  the  board  of 
var. 

1  aro,  fir,  with  the  utra.oi^  refpea,  &,c.  G.   W. 

New** 


O  F  FT  C  I  A  L    LETTER  S. 


SIR,  New-York,  Augufl  17,    1776.. 

THE  circumstances  of  the  two  armies  having  undergone 
:no  material  alteration  fince  I  had  the  honor  of  writing  to  you 
laft,  I  have  nothing  particular  or  important  to  communicate  re- 
ipecting  them. 

In  my  letter  of  yefterday  I  forgot  to  mention  the  arrival  of 
.lord  Dunmore  here.  By  the  examination  of  a  captain  Hunter 
(who  efcaped  from  the  enemy,  and  came  to  Araboy  on  the 
fourteenth)  tranfmltted  me  by  general  Roberdeau,  I  am  cer- 
tainly informed  his  lordihip  arived  on  the  thirteenth.  The  ex- 
amination does  not  fay  any  thing  about  the  ihips  he  brought 
with  him  :  it  only  extends  to  his  force,  which  it  mentions  to 
be  weak. 

I  before  now  expected  the  enemy  would  havs  made  their  at- 
tack :  nor  can  I  account  for  their  deferring  it,  unlefs  the  intel- 
ligence, given  by  captain  Hunter  and  another  perfon  who  ef- 
caped about  the  fame  time,  is  the  caufe,  —  to  wit,  that  they  are 
waiting  the  arrival  of  another  divilion  of  the  Heffian  troops, 
which  (they  fayj  is  ftill  out.  Whether  that  is  the  reafon  of 
the  delay,  I  cannot  undertake  to  determine  :  but  I  mould  fup- 
pofe  things  will  not  long  remain  in  their  prefent  flate.  —  I  have 
inclofed  a  copy  of  general  Roberdeau's  Latter,  and  of  the  exa- 
mination of  thofe  two  perfons,  which  will  (hew  Congrefs  all 
tiie  information  they  have  given,  upon  thefe  fubje&s. 

I  am  juft  now  advifed  by  Mr.  A,n'e£  who  came  from  Phila-. 
,<lelphia  to  build  the  row-gallies,  that  two  of  our  fire-veffels  at- 
tempted laft  night  to  burn  the  enemy's  (hips  and  tenders  up  the 
river.  He  fays  that  they  burned  one  tender,  and  one  of  them 
boarded  the  Phoenix,  and  was  grappled  with  her  for  near  ten 
minutes  ;  but  me  cleared  herfelf.  —  We.  loft  both  of  the  vefTels. 
His  account  is  not  fo  particular  as  I  could  wiih  \  however,  I 
am  certain  the  attempt  has  not  fucceeded  to  our  wifhes.  In  a 
little  time  it  is  probable  the  matter  will  be  more  minutely  re- 
ported. 

1  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c.  G.  W. 


SIR,  New-York,  Augujl  18,   1776. 

I  HAVE  Ueen  honored  with  your  favor  of  the  Sixteenth 
Vvith  the  inciofurc,  and  am  forry  it  is  not  in  my  power  to  tranf- 
rait  Congrefs  a  copy  of  the  treaty  as  they  require,  having  fent 
it  away  with  ths'  other  papers  that  were  in  my  hands. 

r\  he 


i$z  GENERAL  WASHINGTON'S 

The  refolution  they  have  entered  into  refpefting  the  foreign 
troops,  I  am  perfuaded,  would  produce  falutary  effe&s,  if  it 
could  be  properly  circulated  among  them.  I  fear  it  will  be  a 
matter  of  difficulty.  However  I  will  take  every  meafure  that 
{hall  appear  probable  to  facilitate  the  end. 

I  have  the  honor  to  inclofe  you,  for  the  perufal  and  confi- 
deration  of  Congrefs,  fundry  papers  marked  No.  t  to  No.  7  in- 
clufive,  the  whole  of  which,  except  No.  2  and  7  (my  anfwers 
to  lord  Drummond  and  general  Kowe)  I  received  yefterday 
evening  by  a  flag-,  and  to  which  I  beg  leave  to  refer  Congrefs. 

I  am  exceedingly  at  a  lofs  to  know  the  motives  and  caufcs 
inducing  a  proceeding  of  fuch  a  nature  at  this  time,  and  why 
lord  Howe  has  not  attempted  fome  plan  of  negociation  before, 
as  he  feerns  fo  defirous  of  it.  If  I  may  be  allowed  to  conjec- 
ture and  guefs  at  the  caufe,  it  may  be  that  part  of  the  HerTians 
have  not  arrived,  as  mentioned  in  the  examination  tranfmitted 
yefterday, — or  that  general  Burgoyne  has  not  made  fuch  pro- 
grefs  as  was  expected,  to  form  a  junction  of  their  two  armies, — 
or,  what  I  think  equally  probable,  they  mean  to  procraftinate 
their  operations  for  fome  time,  trufting  that  the  militias  which 
have  come  to  our  iuccour,  will  foon  become  tired  and  return 
ii£>me,  as  is  but  too  ufual  with  them. — Congrefs  will  make  their 
obfervations  upon  thefe  feveral  matters,  and  favor  me  with  the 
refult  as  foon  as  they  have  done. — They  will  obferve  my  an- 
fwer  to  lord  Drummond,  who  (I  am  pretty  confident)  has  not 
attended  to  the  terms  of  his  parole,  but  has  violated  it  in  feve- 
ral inftances.  It  is  with  the  reft  of  the  papers  :  but,  if  my  me- 
mory ferves  me,  he  was  not  to  hold  any  correfpondence  direclly 
or  indirectly  with  thofe  in  arms  againft  us,  or  to  go  into  any 
port  or  harbor  in  America,  where  the  enemy  themielves  were 
or  had  a  fleet,  or  to  go  on  board  their  {hips. 

The  treaty  with  the  Indians  is  in  the  box  which  lieutenant  - 
colonel  Reed,  I  prefume,  has  delivered  before  this.  If  Con- 
grefs are  defirous  of  feeing  it,  they  will  be  pleai'ed  to  have  the 
box  opened.  It  contains  a  variety  of  papers,  and  all  the  affairs 
of  the  army,  from  ray  firft  going  to  Cambridge,  till  it  was  fent 
saway. 

This  morning,  the  Phoeni^  and  Rofe  men-of-war,  with  two 
tenders,  availing  themfelves  of  a  favorable  and  briik  wind, 
came  down  the  river,  and  have  joined  the  fleet.  Our  feveral 
batteries  fired  at  them  in  their  pafftgc,  but  without  any  good 
that  1  could  perceive. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  dec.  G.  W. 

New, 


OFFICIAL     LETTERS.  i£t 

SIR,  •  New-York,  Augvjl  19,    1776, 

I  HAVE  nothing  of  moment  to  communicate  to  Cor- 
grefs,  as  things  sue  in  the  lituation  they  were  when  I  had  lait 
the  honor  of  addrefling  them. 

By  a  letter  from  general  Ward,  of  the  twelfth,  I  find  that 
Whitcomb's  regiment,  on  the  eighth,  and  Phinney's,  on  the 
ninth,  marched  from  Bofioh  for  Tyconderoga. 

Governor  Trurabull  alfo,  in  a  letter  of  the  thirteenth,  advi* 
fes  me  that  Ward's  rigiment  in  the  fervice  of  the  iiates  was  or* 
the  march  to  this  army,  and  that  he  and  his  fcouncil  of  fafety 
had  in  the  whole  ordered  fourteen  militia  regiments  to  reinforce 
us.  Three  of  them  have  arrived,  and  amount  to  about  a  thow- 
fand  and  twenty  men.  When  the  whole  come  in,  we  (hall  be 
on  a  much  more  refpeclable  footing  than  we  have  been  :  but  I 
greatly  fear,  if  the  enemy  defer  their  attempt  for  any  confider- 
able  time,  they  will  be  extremely  impatient  to  return  home  j 
and  if  they  mould,  we  fhall  be  reduced  to  diftrefs  again. 

He  alfo  adds  that  captain  Van  Buren,  who  had  been  fent  for 
that  purpofe  had  procured  a  fufficient  fupply  of  fa*l-clcith  for 
the  veflels  to  be  employed  on  the  lake,  and  a  part  of  the  cor* 
dagc,  in  that  ftate  j  and  had  a  piofpe<5t  of  getting  the  remain- 
der. 

As  there  will  be  a  difficulty  in  all  probability  to  circulate 
the  papers  defigned  for  the  foreign  troops,  and  many  mifcarria- 
,ges  may  happen  before  it  can  be  effected,  it  may  be  proper  to 
iurnifh  me  with  a  larger  quantity  than  what  I  already  have. 

Inclofcd  rjiare-  the  honor  to  tranfmit  you  a  general  return 
of  our  whole  force  at  this  time,  in  which  are  comprehended  the 
three  regiments  of  militia  above  mentioned.  I  am  forry  it 
Should  be  fo  much  weakened  by  ficknefs.  The  return  will  mew 
you  how  it  diflreflfes  us. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c.  G.  V7, 

P.  S.  The  poft  juft  now  arrived  has  brought  a  further  fup- 
ply of  papers  ior  the  Medians,  which  makes  my  requlfltion  ua- 
necefl(ary. 


SIR,  New-York,  Augujl  20,  1776. 

I  WAS  yefterday  morning  favored  with  yours  (»f  ilis 
feventeenth,  accompanied  by  feveral  refolutions  of  Congrcfs, 
and  commiflTions  for  officers  appointed  to  the  late  vacancies  in. 
this  army. 

I  wrote 


.19*  GENERAL  WASHINGTON 

I  "wrote  fome  day  ago  to  general  Schuyler  to  propofe  to  £c- 
t;crals  Carleton  and  Burg'oyrie  an  exchange  of  pn>. 
Sequence  of  a  former  refolvc  of  Congrefs  ir  com- 

nvrtr.clers  in  each  department  to  negcciate  crre.     1  hat  of  m 
Meigs  for  major  French,  and  captain  Dearborn's  for  any  officer 

jual  rank-,  I  fubraitted  togeneial  Howe's  confideration, 
letter,  en  the  fevtnteenth,  underllanding  their  paroles  had  been 
ftut  him  by  general    Carleton  j    biA  have  not  yet  received  his 
ar;fv;er  upon  the  fubje£. 

in  refpe&  to  the  exchange  of  the  pftfcners  in  Canada,  if  a 
proportion  oa  that  head  has  not  been  already  made  (and  I  be- 
lieve it  has  net),  the   inclofed  copy  of  general  Caileton's  or- 
deis  (tranfraitted  rne  under  leal  by  major   Bigelow,  who   \ 
fer.t  -with  a  flag  to  general  Burgoyne  from   'i  v  r  nderoga,  wkit 
proceedings  o£  Congrefs  on  the  breach  o£  capitulation  at 
Cedars,  and  the  inhuman  treatment   of  our  people  after- 
ivaic'fi)  vail  iliew  it  is  unneceiTary,  as  he  has  d^teimined  to  fend 
tlura  to  their  own  pi  evinces,  there  to  remain  as  prifoners  5  in- 
ttrdiciing  at  the  fame  time  atl  kind  of  intt-rcourie    between  in 
and  his  army,  except  fuch  as  may  be  for  the  purpoic  of  implor- 
ing the  king's  mercy. — 1  he  afiaflinalion  he  mentions,  of  bri 
dier-general  Gordon,  is  a  faci  entirely  new  to  me,  and  what  I 
never  heard  of  before. — I   fhall  net  trouble  Congrefs  with  rny 
.  upon  this  *  *  *  peiformace,  *  *  *  only  obferving 
its  defsgp.  ii  ibmev/hat  artful,  and  that  each  boatman  with 
;cluw  was  furnifhed  with  a  copy. 

.;o  transmitted  •'  y  of  the  major  \r,  journal, 

b  I  beg  leave  to  refer  t!  nee  reported. 

i  his  return  from  the  tr 

By  a  letter   from  general  Greene  yeflerday  evening,  he  in- 
foiraed   me   he  had  received  an  exprefs  from  Hog-Ifland  inlet, 
;::ng  that  five  of  the  entmy^s  i'mall  vefich  had  appeared  at 
mouth  of  the  creek,  with  feme  troops  on  board  ', — alio  that 
he  had  heard  two  periaguas  were  off  Oyfter-bay, — the  whole 
fuppofed  to  be  after  live  flock  ; — and,  to  prevent  liicir  getting 
'he  had  detached   a  party  of  horfe,    and  two  hundred  and 
r;g  them  twenty  lifiemen.     I  have  not  receiv- 
ed fuither  intelligence  upcfn  the  fuhject. 

1    ?.ni   alfo   advifed  by   the  examination  of  a  captnin  ]>uttoa 
of  a  velTcl  that  had  been  taker.)  tr«nfniittcd  me  by 
-,     that  the   general   report   among  the 
:  he  cr.rnc  off,  v/as.  ..:c:  to  attac;    ' 

-;d   to  fecure  our  :ie  if  poiT.b^c,  at  the  fame 

..  •  ;•    part   of  the^' 

T:  is 


OFFICIAL    LETTERS.  1-93 

This  information  is  corroborated  by  many  other  accounts,  and 
is  probably  true  :  nor  will  it  be  poflible  to  prevent  them  land- 
ing on  the  ifland,  as  its  great  extent  afford?  a  variety  of  places 
favorable  for  that  purpofe,  and  the  whole  of  our  works  on  it  are 
at  the  end  bppofite  to  the  city.  However,  we  (hall  attempt  tu 
harrafs  them  as  much  as  poitible,  which  will  be  aH  that  we  can 
do. — I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c>  G.  W* 


Si*,  New-Tori,  Augufl  21, 

INCLOSED  I  have  the  honor  to  tranfmit  you  a  copy  o£ 
-my  letter  to  lord  Howe  (as  well  oa  the  fubje&  of  a  general  ex- 
change of  prifoners  in  the  naval  line,  as  that  o£  lieutenant  Jofi- 
ah  in  particular)  and  of  his  lordlhip's  anfwer,  which,  for  its 
matter  and  manner,  is  very  different  from  general  Carleton'* 
orders  which  were  forwarded  yefterday. 

The  lituation  of  the  armies  being  the  fame  as  when  I  had  the 
pleafure  of  addrelTmg  you  laft,  I  have  nothing  fpecial  to  com- 
municate on  that  head,  nor  more  to  add,  than  that  I  am  with, 
all  poflible  refped,  &c,  G.  W* 


SIR,  tiew-York,  Augufl  22,  1776* 

I  DO  myfelf  the  nonor  to  tranfmit  Congrefs  a  copy  of  a 
letter  I  received  yefterday  from  governor  Livingflon,  alfo  co- 
pies of  three  reports  from  colonel  Hand. 

Though  the  intelligence  reported  by  the  fpjr  on  his  return  to 
governor  Livingfton  has  not  been  confirmed  by  the  event  hd 
mentions  (an  attack  laft  night),  there  is  every  reafop  to  believe 
that  one  is  fliortly  deligned.  The  falling  down  of  feveral  fhip* 
yefterday  evening  to  the  Narrows,  crowded  with  men, — thofc 
fucceeded  by  many  more  this  morning, — ^and  a  great  number  of 
boats  parading  around  them  (as  I  was  _juft  now  informed)  with 
troops, — ate  all  drcumftances  indicating  an  attack:  and  it  is 
not  improbable  it  will  be  made  to-day.  It  could  riot  have  hap- 
pened laft  night,  by  reafon  of  a  moft  violent  gUft. 

We  are  making  every  preparation  to  receive  them  ;  and  £ 
truft,  under  the  fmiles  of  providence,  witti  our  own  exertions, 
.that  my  next,  if  they  do  attack,  will  tranfmit  an  account  that 
will  be  pleafing  to  every  friend  of  America*  and  of  the  rights 
of  humanity. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c,  G.  W", 

B  b 


•1*4  GENERAL  WASHINGTON'S 

SIR,  New-Tort,  Augufl  23,   1776* 

I  BEG  leave  to  inform  Congrefs,  that,"  yefterday  morn- 
ing and  in  the  courfe  of  the  preceding  night,  a  coniiderable  bo- 
dy of  the  enemy,  amounting  by  report,  to  eight  or  nine  thou- 
fsnd,  and  thefe  all  Britifli,  landed  from  the  tranfport*fhips 
mentioned  in  my  laft,  at  Gravefend-bay  on  Long-Ifland,  and 
have  approached  within  three  miles  of  our  lines,  having  march- 
ed acrofs  the  low  cleared  grounds  near  the  woods  at  Flat-bulb, 
where  they  are  baited,  fince  my  laft  intelligence. 

I  have  detached  from  hence  fix  battalions  as  a  reinforcement 
to  our  troops  there,  which  are  all  that  I  can  fpare  at  this  time, 
not  knowing  but  the  fleet  may  move  up  with  the  remainder  of 

'  their  army,  and  make  an  attack  hefe,  on  the  next  flood-tide. 
Tf  they  do  not,  I  mall  fend  a  further  reinforcement,  mould  It 
be  neceffary  j  and  have  ordered  five  battalions  more  to  be  in 
readinefs  for  that  purpofe. 

I  have  no  doubt  but  a  little  time  will  produce  fome   impor- 

'tant  events.     I  hope  they  will  be  happy. — -The  reinforcement 

•detached  yefterday  went  off  in  highTpirits  ;  and  I  have  the  plea- 
fuie  to  inform  you  that  the  whole  of  the  army,  that  are  effec- 
tive and  capable  of  duty,  difcover  the  fame,  and  great  cheer- 
fulnefs. — I  have  been  obliged  to  appoint  major-general  Sullivan 

f to  the  command  oil  the  ifland,  owing  to  general  Greene's  in- 
ciifpofition : — he  has  been  extremely  ill  for  feveral  days^  and 
{till  continues  bad. 

By  wednefday  evening's  poft  I  received  a  letter  from  gene- 
ral Ward,  incloiing  a  copy  of  the  invoice  of  the  ordnance- 
flores  taken  by  captain  Manly,  with  the  appraifement  of  the 
fame  (made  in  purfuance  of  my  direction,  founded  on  the  order 
of  CoRgrefs),  which  I  do  myfelf  the  honor  of  tranfmittmg. — 
You  will  alfo  receive  the  treaty  between  the  commiflioners  and 
the  Indians  of  the  Six-Nations,  and  others,  at  the  German- 
Plats,  which  general  Schuyler  requefted  me  to  forward,  by 
liis  letter  of  the  eighteenth  inftant. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c.  G.  W. 


Sin,  New-York,  Augujl  24,   1776. 

THE  irregularity  of  the  poft  prevents  your  receiving  the 

•early  and.conftant  intelligence  it  is  my  wim  to  communicate. 

This  is  the  third  letter  which  you  will  probably  receive  from 

•me  by  the  fame  poll.    The  firft  was  of  little  or  no  conference ; 

t  but 


OFFICIAL    LETTERS.  ,9; 

J«tt  that  of  yefterday  gave  you  the  beft  information  I  had  been 
able  to  obtain,  of  the  enemy's  landing  and  movements  upon, 
Long-Ifland. — Having  occafion  to  go  over  thither  yefterday,  I 
fent  my  letter"  to  the  poft-office  at  the  ufual  hour,  being  in-- 
formed that  the  rider  was  expected  every  moment,  and  would 
go  out  again  diredly  :  but  in  the  evening  when  I  fent  to  in- 
quire, none  had  come  in. 

1  now  inclofe  you  a  report  made  to  me  by  general  Sullivan 
after  I  left  Long-Ifland  yelterday.  I  do  not  conceive  that  the 
enemy's  whole  force  was  in  motion,  but  a  detached  party  ra- 
ther. I  have  fent  over  four  more  regiments,  with  boats,  to  be 
ready  either  to  reinforce  the  troops  under  general  Sullivan,  or 
to  return  to  this  place,  if  the  remainder  of  the  fleet  at  the  wa- 
tering place  mould pufh  up  to  the  city;  which  hitherto  (I  mean" 
fince  the  landing  upon  Long-Ifland)  they  have  not  had  in  their 
power  to  do,  on  account  of  the  wind  which  has  either  been  a- 
head  or  too  fmall  when  the  tide  has  ferved.  I  have  nothing 
further  to  trouble  the  Congrefs  with  at  prefent,  than  that  I  am 
theirs  and  your  molt  obedient  humble  fervant?  G.  W. 


SIR,  New-York,  Augtifl  26,   1776. 

I  HAVE  been  duly  honored  with  your  favors  of  the 
twentieth  and  twenty-fourth,  and  am  happy  to  find  my  anfwer 
to  lord  Drummond  has  met  the  approbation  of  Congrefs. 
Whatever  his  views  were,  molt  certainly  his  conduct  refpecling 
liis  parole  is  highly  reprehenlible. 

Since  my  letter  of  the  twenty-fourth,  almoft  the  whole  of 
the  enemy's  fleet  have  fallen  down  to  the  Narrows  j  and,  from 
this  circumflance,  and  the  ftriking  of  their  tents  at  their  feve- 
ral  encampments  on  Staten-Ifland  from  time  to  time,  previous 
to  the  departure  of  the  mips  from  thence,  we  are  led  to  think 
they  mean  to  land  the  main  body  of  their  army  on  Long-liland, 
and  to  make  their  grand  pufti  there.  I  have  ordered  over  con- 
fiderable  reinforcements  to  our  troops  there,  and  fliall  continue 
to  fend  more  as  ciicumftances  may  require.  There  has  been  a 
little  Ikirmifhing  and  irregular  firing  kept  up  between  their  and 
our  advanced  guards,  in  which  colonel  Martin  of  the  Jeriey 
levies  has  received  a  wound  in  his  breaft,  which,  it  is  appre- 
hended, will  prove  mortal  5  a  private  has  had  hit,  leg  broke  by 
a  cannon-ball,  and  another  has  received  a  mot  in  the  groin 
from  their  mufketry.  This  is  all  the  damage  they  have  yet 
done  us ; — what  they  have  futfained,  is  not  known. 


39*  GENERAL  WASHINGTON^. 

The  (hitting  and  changing  the  regiments  have  undergone  o? 
*?ate  has  prevented  their  making  proper  returns,  and  of  courfe 
put  it  out  of  my  power  to  tranfmit  a  general  on£  of  the  army, 
iiowever,  I  believe  our  ftrength  is  much  the  fame  as  it  was 
•when  the  laft  was  made,  with  the  addition  of  nine  militia  regi- 
ments come  from  the  ftate  of  Connecticut,  averaging  about 
three  hundred  and  fifty  men  each.  Thefe  are  nine  of  the  four- 
teen regiments  mentioned  in  my  letter  of  the  nineteenth.— Our 
people  Hill  continue  to  be  very  iickly. 

The  papers  deligneji  for  the  foreign  troops  have  been  put  int<> 
feveral  channels,  in  order  that  they  might  be  conveyed  to  them  > 
and,  from  the  information  I  had  yeilerday,  I  have  reafon  to  be- 
lieve many  have  fallen  into  their  hands. 

I  have  inclofed  a  copy  of  lord  Drummond's  fecpnd  letter  (in,. 
-jmfwer  to  mine)  which  1  received  fince  I  tranfmitted  his  firlt, 
ind  which  I  have  thought  neceffary  to  lay  before  Congreis,  that 
they  may  pblfefs  the  whole  of  the  correfpondence  between  us,  and 
fee  how  far  he  has  exculpated  himfelf  from  the  charge  alledged 
againit  him.  The  log-book  he  mentions  to  have  fent  colonel 
Mo'ylan  proves  nothing  in  his  favor.  That  mews  he  had  been 
at  Bermuda,  and  from  thence  to  fome  other  ifland,  on  his  paf- 
fage  from  which  to  this  place,  the  veffel  he  was  in  was  boarded 
by  a  pilot  who  brought  her  into  the  Hook,  where  he  found  the 
Britifti  fleet,  which  his  lordfliip  avers  he  did  not  expedl  were 
there,  having  underitood  their  defoliation,  was  to  the  fouth- 
ward. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c.  G.  W» 


£  The  following  letter  is-  from  one  of-  the  generaPs  fecretaries, 
wbofejignafure  w  ill  a  If  a  appear  to  a  few  ofthefubfequent  Id- 
lers in  this  volume. J 

SIR,  New-Turk^  Aug.  27,   1776,  8  o* clock >  P.  M. 

I  THI5  minute  return  from  our  lines  on  Long-Iflaed, 
•where  I  left  his  excellency  the  general.  From  him  I  have  it 
in  command  to  inform  Congrefs,  that  yefterday  he  went  there, 
and  continued  till  evening,  when  from  the  enemy's  having  land- 
ed a  confiderable  part  of  their  forces, — and  many  of  their 
movements,— there  was  reafon  to  apprehend  they  would  make 
in  a  little  time  a  general  attack. — As  they  would  have  a  wood 
TO  pafs  through  before  they  could  approach  the  lines,  it  was 
ibo'.ight  expedient  to  plaqs  a  auiaber  o£  men  there  on  the  dii- 

fercnt 


O  F  F I  C  I  A  L    L  JL  T  T  E  It  S. 

fefent  roads  leading  from  where  they  were  ftatkmedr  in  order  to 
hanafs  and  annoy  them  in  their  march. — This  being  done,  early 
this  morning  a  fmart  engagement  enfued  between  the  enemy  and: 
our  detachments,  which,  being  unequal  to  the  force  they  had 
io  contend  with,  -have  fuftained  a  pretty  considerable  lofs  :  at 
lead  many  of  our  men  are  miffing.  Among  thofe  that  have 
not  returned,  are  general  Sullivan  and  lord  Stirling.  The 
enemy's  lofs  is  not  known  certainly :  but  we  are  told  by  fuch 
o£  our  troops  'as  were  ii\  the  engagement  and  have  come  in, 
that  they  had  many  killed  and  wounded. — Qur  party  brought 
<pfi  a  lieutenant,  ierjeant,  and  corporal,  with  twenty  privates^ 
prifoners. 

While  thefe  detachments,  were  engaged,  a  column  of  the 
enemy  descended  from  the  woods,  and  marched  towards  the 
centre  of  our  lines  with  a  deftgn  to  make  an  imprefTion,  but 
weie  repulfed.  This  evening  they  appeared  very  numerous 
?bout  the  fkirts  of  the  woods,  where  they  have  pitched  feveral 
tents  :  and  his  excellency  inclines  to  think  they  mean  to  attack; 
and  force  us  from  our  lines  by  way  of  regular,  approaches,  rather 
than  in  any  other  manner. 

To-day,  five  (hips  of  the  line  came  up  towards  the  town,  where 
they  feemed  defirous  of  getting,  as  they  turned  a  long  time  agamit 
an  unfavorable  wind  :  and  on  my  return  this  evening,  I  found  a 
deferter  from  the  twenty-third  regiment,  who  informed  me  that 
they  defign,  as  foon  as  the  wind  will  permit  them  to  come  up,  to 
give  us  a  fevere  cannonade,  and  to  filence  our  batteries,  if  pof- 
iible. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  ingrcat  hafte,fir,  your  moft  obedient, 

ROBERT  H.  HARRISON. 


SIR,  Long-IJlaad,  -dug*  29,  half  after  4,  A.  M. 

I  WAS  laft  night  honored  with  your  favor  of  the  twenty- 
feventh,  accompanied  by  fundry  refolutions  of  Congrefs*  Thofe 
icfpecling  the  officerSj  &c.  that  may  be  wounded  in  the  fervice 
of  the  Hates,  are  founded  much  in  juflice,  and  (I  fhould  hope) 
may  be  productive  of  many  falutary  confequences.  As  to  the 
encouragement  to  the  Heflian  officers,  I  wiih  it  may  have  the 
defired  effedl:.  Perhaps  it  might  have  been  better,  had  the  of- 
fer been  fooner  made. 

Before  this,  you  will  probably  have  received  a  letter  from, 
Mr.  Harrifon,  of  the  twenty-feventh,  advifmg  of  the  engage- 
flvent  between  a  detachment  of  our  men  and  the  enemy  on  that 

day. 


19*  GENERAL  WASHINGTON'S 

day. — I  am  forry  to  inform  Congrefs  that  I  have  not  heard  ei- 
ther of  general  Sullivan  or  lord  Stirling,  who  (they  would  ob- 
ferVe j  were  among  the  mifiiug  aUe  the  engagement ;  nor  can 
I  afcertain  our  lofs.  I  am  hopeful,  part  of  our  men  will  yet  get 
In  :  feveral  did  vefterday  morning, — That  of  the  enemy  is  alfo 
uncertain  :  the  accounts  are  various.  I  incline  to  think  they 
fuffered  a  good  deal.  Some  deferters  fay  five  hundred  were 
killed  and  wounded. 

There  was  fome  flurmifhihg,  the  greateft  part  of  yeflerday, 
between  parties  from  the  enemy  and  our  people  :  in  the  even- 
ing it  was  pretty  fmait.  The  event  I  have  not  yet  learned. 

The  weather  of  late  has  been  extremely  wet.  Yefterday  it 
rained  feverely  the  whole  afternoon,  which  diftreffed  our  people 
much, — not  having  a  fufiiciency  of  tents  to  cover  them,  and 
what  we  have,  not  being  got  over  yet.  I  am  in  hopes  they  will 
all  be  got  to  day,  and  that  they  will  be  more  comfortably  pro- 
vided, though  the  great  icarcity  of  thefe  articles  dirlreffes  us 
beyond  meafure,  not  having  any  thing  like  a  fufficient  number 
to  protect:  our  people  from  the  inclemency  of  the  weather  j — 
which  has  occafioned  much  fickneis,  and  the  men  to  be  alinofl 
broken  down. 

.1  have  the  honor  to  be,  &.c.  G.  W. 


SIR,  New-York,  dugujl  31,   1776. 

INCLINATION  as  well  as  duty  would  have  induced  me 
to  give  Congrefs  the  earliefl  information  of  my  removal  and 
that  of  the  troops,  from  Long-IflUnd  and  its  indepencies,  to  this 
city,  the  night  before  latl  :  but  the  extreme  fatigue  which  my- 
ielt  and  family  have  undergone,  as  much  from  the  weather  fmce 
as  the  engagement  on  the  twenty-feventh,  rendered  me  and  them 
entirely  unfit  to  take  pen  in  hand.  Since  monday,  fcarce  any 
of  us  have  heen  out  of  the  lines  till  our  paiTage  along  the  Eaft- 
river  was  eS'ected  yeiterday  morning*,  and,  for  forty-eight  hours 
preceding  that,  I  had  hardly  been  off  my  horfe,  and  never  clof- 
ed  my  eyes  j  ib  that  I  was  quite  unfit  to  write  or  dictate  till 
this  morning. 

Our  retreat  was  made  without  any  lofs  of  men  or  ammuniti- 
on, and  in  better  order  than  I  expected  from  troops  in  the  fitu- 
ation  ours  were.  We  brought  off  all  our  cannon  and  ilores,  ex- 
cept a  few  heavy  pieces,  which  in  the  condition  the  earth  was 
by  a  long-continued  rain,  we  found,  upon  trial,  impracticable. 
The  wheels  cf  the  carriages  finking  up  to  the  hobs,  jendered  it 

impoffiblc 


OFFICIAL     LETTERS. 

impoflible  for  our  whole  force  to  drag  them.; — We  left  but  lit* 
tie  provifions  on  the  ifland,  except  fome  cattle  which  had  been 
driven  within  our  lines,  and  which  after  many  attempts  to  force 
acrofs  the  water,  we  found  impoflible  to  effedl,  circumftanced 
as  we  were. 

I  have  inclofed  a  copy  of  the  Council  of  war  held  previous 
to  the  retreat,  to  which  I  beg  leave  to  refer  Congrefs  for  the 
reafons,  or  many  of  them,  that  led  to  the  adoption  of  that  mea- 
fure. 

Yefterday  evening  and  laft  night,  a  party  of  our  men  were 
employed  in  bringing  our  ftores,  cannon,  tents,  &c.  from  Go- 
vernor's-Ifland,  which  they  nearly  completed.  Some  of  the 
heavy  cannon  lamain  there  flill,  but  (I  expert)  will  be  got  a- 
way  to-day. 

In  the  engagement  on  the  twenty-feventh,  generals  Sullivan 
and  Stirling  were  made  prifoners.  The  former  has  been  per- 
mitted, on  his  parole,  to  return  for  a  little  time.  From  my 
lord  Stirling  I  had  a  letter  by  general  Sullivan  (a  copy  of 
which  I  have  the  honor  to  tranfmit)  that  contains  his  formati- 
on of  the  engagement  with  his  brigade.  It  is  not  fo  full  and 
certain  as  I  could  wilh  : — he  was  hurried  moft  probably,  as  his 
letter  was  unfinifhed  : — nor  have  I  been  yet  able  to  obtain  an 
exacl  account  of  our  lofs  : — we  fuppofe  it  from  feven  hundred 
to  a  thoufand  killed  and  taken. 

General  Sullivan  fays  lord  Howe  is  extremely  defirous  of 
feeing  fome  members  of  Congrefs  j  for  which  purpofe  he  was. 
allowed  to  come  out,  and  to  communicate  to  them  what  has  paf- 
fed  between  him  and  his  lordfhip.  I  have  confented  to  his  go- 
ing to  Philadelphia,  a?  I  do  not  mean,  or  conceive  it  right,  to 
withhold,  or  prevent  him  from  giving,  fuch  information  as  he 
poffeffes  in  this  inftance.  • 

I  am  much  hurried  and  engaged  in  arranging  and  making 
new  difpofitions  of  our  forces  ;  the  movements  of  the  enemy  re- 
quiring them  to  be  immediately  had  ; — and  therefore  have  only 
time  to  add,  that  I  am,  with  my  beft  regards  to  Congrefs,  their 
and  your  moft  obedient,  &c.  .  G.  \V« 


SIR,  New-York,  September  12,   1776* 

AS  my  intelligence  of  late  has  been  rather  unfavorable, 
and  would  be  received  with  anxiety  and  concern,  peculiarly  hap- 
py fhould  I  efteem  myfelf,  were  it  in  my  power  at  this  time  to 
tranfmit  fuch  information  to  Congrefs,  as  would  be  more  pleaf- 


200  GENERAL  WASHINGTON^ 

ing  and  agreeable  to  their  willies  : — but,  unfortunately  for  me, 
£— unfortunately  for  them, — it  is  not. 

Our  iituation  is  truly  diilrefling.  The  check  Our  detachment 
fuftained  on  the  twenty-fevcnth  ultimo  has  difpirited  too  great 
a  proportion  of  our  troops,  and  filled  their  minds  with  appre- 
henfion  and  defpair.  The  militia,  inttead  of  calling  forth  their 
titmoft  efforts  to  a  brave  and  manly  oppofition  in  order  to  re- 
pair our  loffes,  are  difmayed,  intractable,  and  impatient  to  re- 
turn. Great  numbers  of  them  have  gone  off,— —in  fome  inltan- 
ces,  alrnoft  by  whole  regiments,  by  half  ones  and  by  companies 
at  a  time.  This  circumftance,  of  itfelf,  independent  of  others, 
when  fronted  by  a  well  appointed  army  iupeiior  in  number  to 
our  whole  collected  force,  would  be  fufBciently  difagreeable  : — 
"but,  when  their  example  has  infected  another  part  of  the  army, 
\vhen  their  want  of  discipline,  and  refufal  of  almoft  every  kind 
of  reflrayit  and  government,  have  produced  a  like  condu6t  but 
too  common  to  the  whole,  and  an  entire  difregard  of  that  or- 
der and  fubordination  neceffary  to  the  well  doing  of  an  army, 
and  which  had  been  inculcated  before,  as  well  as  the  nature  o£ 
our  military  eftablilhment  would  admit  of, — our  condition  is 
Hill  more  alarming  :  and  with  the  deepeft  concern  I  am  obliged 
to  confeis  my  want  of  confidence  in  the  generality  of  the 
troops. 

All  thefe  circum fiances  fully  confirm  the  opinion  I  ever  en* 
tertained,  and  which  I  more  than  once  in  my  letters  took  the 
liberty  of  mentioning  to  Congrefs,  that  no  dependence  could  be 
put  in  a  militia,  or  other  troops  than  thofe  cnlifted  and  embo- 
died for  a  longer  period  than  our  regulations  heretofore  pre- ' 
icribed.  I  am  perfusded,  and  a£  fully  convinced  as  I  am  of  a* 
ny  one  facl  that  has  happened,  that  our  liberties  mull  of  necef- 
ftty  be  greatly  hazarded  if  not  entirely  loft,  if  their  defence  is 
l?it  to  any  but  a  permanent  {landing  army, — I  mean,  one  to  ex- 
ift  during  the  war.  Nor  would  the  expenfe,  incident  to  the  .j 
Inpport  of  fuch  a  body  of  troops  as  would  be  competent  to  al* 
mod  every  exigency,  far  exceed  that  which  is  daily  incurred 
•:-alliag  in  fuccour,  and  new  enliftments>  which,  when  effecV 
<:d,  are  not  attended  wkh  any  good  confequences.  Men  who 
have  been  free,  and  fubje£t  to  no  controul,  cannot  b«  reduced  to 
or<ler  in  an  inPtant :  and  the  privileges  and  exemptions,  they  claim 
and  will  have,  influence  the  conduct  of  others  •,  and  the  aid  de-  i 
tived  from  them  is  nearly  counterbalanced  by  the  diforder,  ir* 
Parity,  and  confufion  they  occafion. 

1  cannot  find  that  the  bounty  of  ten  dollars  is  likely  to  pro- 
duce the  ckfired  .effeft,  When  men  can  get  double  that  fum  to 

engage 


OFFICIAL   LETTERS.  '**t 

fengage  for  a  month  or  two  in  the  militia,  and  that  militia  fre* 
'qucntly  called  out,  it  is  hardly  to  be  expected; — The  addition 
of  land  might  have  a  eoriliderable  influence  on  a  permanent»en- 
liftment. 

Our  number  of  men  at  prefent  fit  for  duty  is  under  twenty 
thoufand  :  they  were  fo  by  the  laft  returns  and  befi  accounts  I 
could  get  after  the  engagement  on  Long-Iiland  j  lince  which, 
numbers  have  deferted.  I  have  ordered  general  Mercer  to  fend 
the  men  intended  for  the  flying  camp  at  this  place,  about  a 
thoufand  in  number,  and  to  try  with  the  militia,  if  practicable^ 
to  make  a  diver/ion  on  Staten-Ifland; 

Till  of  late>  1  had  no  doubt  in  my  own  mind,  of  defending 
this  place  ;  nor  mould  I  have  yet,  if  the  men  would  do  their 
duty  :  but  this  I  defpair  o£,  It  is  painful,  and  extremely  grat^ 
ing  to  me,  to  give  fuch  unfavorable  accounts  -,  but  it  would 
be  criminal  to  conceal  the  truth  at  fo  critical  a  juncture.  Eve- 
ry power  I  poffefs  mail  be  exerted  to  ierve  the  caufe  ;  and  my 
firft  wifh  is,  that  whatever  may  be  the  event,  the  Gongrefs  will 
do  me  the  juftice  to  think  fo. 

If  we  fhould  be  obliged  to  abandon  the  town,  ought  it  to 
ftand  as  winter-quarters  for  the  enemy  ?  They  would  derive 
great  inconveniences  from  it  on  the  one  hand  j  and  much  pro- 
perty would  be  deftroyed  on  the  other.- — It  is  an  important 
queiUon,  but  will  admit  of  but  little  time  for  deliberation. 
At  prefent  I  dare  fay  the  enemy  mean  to  preferve  it  if  they 
can.  If  Congrefs  therefore  mould  refolve  upon  the  definition, 
of  it,  the  resolution  (hould  be  a  profound  fecret,  as  the  know- 
ledge of  it  will  make  a  capital  change  in  their  planSi 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c*  G.  W* 


SiRj  New-York,  Septefnber  4,    1776. 

SINCE  I  had  the  honor  of  addrefTing  you  on  the  fecond, 
our  affairs  have  not  undergone  a  change  for  the  better,  nor  af- 
fumed  a  more  agreeable  afpecl:  than  what  they  then  wore.  The 
militia  under  various  pretences,  of  ficknefs,  Sec.  are  daily  di- 
minifhing  \  and  in  a  little  time,  I  am  perfuadedj  their  number 
will  be  very  inconiiderable. 

On  monday  riight  a  forty-gun  (hip  pafled  up  the  found  be- 
tween Governor's  and  Long-I(Und,  and  anchored  in  Turtle-bay. 
In  her  paffage  She  received  a  difcharge  of  cannon  from  our  bat- 
teries, but  without  any  damage  5  and  having  a  favorable  winei 
and  tide,  foon  got  out  of  their  reach.  Yefterday  morning  I 

C  e  difpatchcd 


• 


202  GENERAL  WASHINGTON^ 

difpatched  major  Crane  of  the  artillery,  with  two  twelve  pon- 
ders and  a  howitzer,  to  annoy  her  -?  who,  hulling  her  feve- 
ral  times,  forced  her  from  that  flation,  and  to  take  ihelter  be- 
hind an  ifland,  where  ine  flill  continues.  There  are  ieveral 
other  mips  of  war  in  the  Sound,  with  a  good  many  tianfnorts 
or  ftore-fhips  which  came  round  Long-Ifland,  fo  that  the  com- 
munication is  entirely  cut  of?.  The  admiral  with  the  main  &o- 
dy  of  the  fleet,  is  clofe  in  with  GoverncrVIiland. 

Judging  it  expedient  to  guard  again  ft  every  contingency  as 
.far  ar  our  peculiar  iltuation  will  admit,  and  that  we  may  have 
refourqes.  left  if.  obliged  to  abandon  this  place,  I  have  lent  away 
and  am  removing  above  Kingfbridge  all  our  ftores  that  are  un- 
necefiary,  and  that  will  not  be  immediately  wanted. 

.1  have  enclofed  feveral  original  letters  from  fome  of  our  officers 
prifoners  at  Quebec,  which  fell  into  general  Gates's  hands,  and 
were  tranfmitted  by  him  to  general  Schuyler  who  fent  them  to 
me.  General  Gates  adds,  that  the  perfons  who  brought  them 
faid  general  Burgoyne  had  fent  melTages  to  the  inhabitants  upon 
.the  lakes,  inviting  their  continuance  on  their  farms  and  aiTuririg 
them  that  they  fliculd  remain  in  fecurity. 

The  poft-mafter  having  removed  his  office  from  the  city  to 
Dobbs's-ferry,  as  it  is  faid,  makes  it  extremely  inconvenient, 
and  will  be  the  means  of  my  not  giving  fuch  conftant  and  re- 
gular  intelligence  as  I  could  wifh. —Cannot  fome  mode  be  de~ 
vifed,  by  which  we  may  have  a  pretty  conftant  and  certain  in- 
tercourfe  and  communication  kept  up  ?  It  is  an  interefting  matter, 
and  of  great  importance  j  and,  as'fuch,  I  am  peifuaded,  will 
meet  with  due  attention  from  Congrefs. 

I  have  tranfmitted  the  copy  of  general  Gates's  letter  as  fent 
me  by  general  Schuyler,  from  which  Congrefs  will  difcover  all 
the  information  I  have  refpefting  general  Burgoyne's  meffage, 
and  my  lateft  intelligence  from  Tyconderoga,  with  the  returns 
of  the  army  there. — Thofe  of  the  army  here  is  impoifible  to 
obtain,  till  the  hurry  and  buftle  we  are  now  in  are  a  little  over. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c.  G.  W. 

P.  S.  Congrefs  will  perceive,  by  general  Gates's  letter,  his 
want  of  mufket-cartridge-paper.  It  is  impoffible  to  fupply  him 
from  hence'.  They  will  therefore  be  pleafed  to  order  what  he- 
wants  (if  it  can  be  procured)  to  be  immediately  fent  him  from 
Philadelphia. 


OFFICIAL    LETTERS.  203 

New-York,  September  6,  1776. 

•  I  WAS  laft  night  honored  with  your  favor  of  the  third, 
with,  fundry  refolutions  of  Congrefs  :  and  perceiving  it  to  be 
their  opinion  and  determination  that  no  damage  fhall  be  done 
the  city  in  cafe  we  are  obliged  to  abandon  it,  I  fhall  take  every 
meafure  in  my  power  to  prevent  it. 

Since  my  letter  on  the  fouith,  nothing  very  material  has  oc- 
curred-, unlefs  it  is  that  the  fleet  feem  to  be  drawing  more  to- 
gether and  all  getting  clofe  in  with  Governor's-Ifland.  Their 
defigns  we  cannot  learn  j  nor  have  we  been  able  to  procure  the 
ieaft  information  of  late,  of  any  of  their  plans  or  intended  ope- 
rations. 

As  the  enemy's  movements  are  very  different  from  what  we 
expected, — and  from  their  large  encampments  a  confiderable 
diftance  up  the  Sound,  there  is  reafon  to  believe  they  intend  to 
make  a  landing  above  or  below  Kingfhridge,  and  thereby  to 
hem  in  our  army,  and  cut  off  the  communication  with  the  coun- 
try,— rl  mean  to  call  a  council  of  general  officers  to.-day  or  to- 
morrow, and  endeavor  to  digeft  and  fix  upon  fome  regular  and 
certain  fyftem  of  conduct  to  be  purfued  in  order  to  baffle  their 
efforts  and  counteract  their  fchemes  j  and  alfo  to  determine  of 
the  expediency  of  evacuating  or  attempting  to  maintain  the 
city  and  the  feveral  ports  on  this  ifland.  The  refult  of  their 
opinion  and  deliberations  I  fhall  advife  Congrefs  of  by  the  ear- 
liefl  opportunity,  which  will  be  by  exprefs,  having  it  not  in  my 
power  to  communicate  any  intelligence  by  poll,  as  the  office  is 
removed  to  fo  great  a  diftance,  and  entirely  out  of  the  way. 

I  have  inclofed  a  lift  of  the  officers  who  are  prifoners,  and 
from  whom  letters  have  been  received  by  a  flag — We  know 
there  are  others  not  included  in  the  lift. 

General  Sullivan  having  informed  me  that  general  Howe  was 
willing  that  an  exchange  of  him  for  general  Prefcot  fhouldtake 
place, .  it  will  be  proper  to  fend  general  Frefcot  immediately, 
that  it  may  be  effected. 

As  the  militia  regiments  in  all  probability  will  be  impatient 
to  return,  and  become  prefling  for  their  pay,  I  fhall  be  glad  of 
the  direction  of  Congrefs,  whether  they  are  to  receive  it  here 
or  from  the  conventions  or  aflemblies  of  the  refpeclive  ftates  to 
which  they  belong.  On  the  one  hand,  the  fettlement  of  their 
abftracts  will  be  attended  with  trouble  and  difficulty :  on  the 
other,  they  will  go  away  much  better  fatisfied,  and  be  more 
ready  to  give  their  aid  in  future,  if  they  are  paid  before  their 
Departure. 

Before 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON'S 

Before  I  conclude,  I  muft  take  the  liberty  of  mentioning  to, 
Congrefs  the  great  diftrefs  we  are  in  for  want  of  money.  Two, 
months'  pay  (and  more  to  fome  battalions)  is  now  due  to  the 
troops  here,  without  any  thing  in  the  military  cheft  to  fatisfy 
it-  This  occafions  much  diffatisfadion,  and  almoft  a  general 
uaeafmefs.  Not  a  day  paiTes  without  complaints  and  the  moft 
importunate  and  urgent  demands  on  this  head. — As  it  may  in- 
jure the  fervice  greatly,  and  the  want  of  a  regular  fupply  of 
cafh  produce  confequences  of  the  moil  fatal  tendency,  I  en- 
treat the  attention  of  Congrefs  to  this  fubjecl:,  and  ,that  we  may 
be  provided  as  foon  as  can  be,  with  a  fum  equal  to  every  prefent 
claim. 

I  have  wrote  to  general  Howe,  propofino-  an  exchange  of  ge- 
neral M'Dorald  for  lord  Stirling,  and  mall  be  extremely  happy 
to  obtain  it,  as  well  as  that  of  general  Sullivan  for  general  Pref- 
cot, — -being  greatly  in  want  of  them,  and  under  the  neceffity  of 
appointing,  pro  tem.pore,  fomc  iif  the  colonels  to  command  bri- 
gades. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c.  G.  W. 

P.  S.  As  two  regiments  from  North-Carolina  and  three  re- 
giments more  from  Virginia  are  ordered  here, — if  they  could 
embark  at  Norfolk,  &c.  and  come  up  the  bay  with  fecurity,  it 
would  expedite  their  arrival,  and  prevent  the  men  from  a  long 
fatiguing  march.  This  however  mould  not  to  be  attempted  if 
the  enemy  have  veffels  in  the  bay,  which  might  probably  inter- 
cept them, 


SIR,  New-York,  September  7,   1776. 

THIS  will  be  delivered  you  by  captain  Martindale  and 
lieutenant  Turner,  who  were  taken  laft  fall  in  the  armed  bn^' 
Waihington,  and  who,  with  Mr.  Childs  the  fecond  lieutenant, 
fcave  lately  effected* their  efcape  from  Halifax.  Captain  mar- 
tindale  and  thefe  two  officers  have  applied  to  me  for  pay  from 
the  firft  of  January  till  this  time  :  but,  not  conceiving  myfelf 
authorifed  to  grant  it,  however  rcafonable  it  may  be,  as  they 
were  only  engaged  till  the  laft  of  December, — at  their  inftance 
I  have  mentioned  the  matter  to  Congrefs,  and  fubmit  iheir  cafe 
to  their  conlideration. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c.  G.  W. 


New- 


OFFICIAL    LETTERS, 

SIR,  New-York,  Head-quarters^  Sept.  8,   1776, 

SINCE  I  had  the  honor  of  addrefling  you  on  the  fixtl* 
inftant,  I  have  called  a  council  of  the  general  officers,  in  order 
to  take  a  full  and  comprehenfive  view  of  our  fituation,  and 
thereupon  form  fuch  a  plan  of  future  defence  as  may  be  imme- 
diately purfued,  and  fubjecl:  to  no  other  alteration  than  a  change 
of  operations  on  the  enemy's  fide  may  occafion. 

Before  the  landing  of  the  enemy  on  Long-lfland,  the  point 
of  attack  qould  not  be  known,  or  any  fatisfaftory  judgment 
formed  of  their  intentions.  It  might  be  on  Long- 1  (land,  on, 
Bergen,  or  directly  on  the  city.  jpiis  made  it  necefiary  to  be 
prepared  for  each,  and  has.  occaiioqed  anexpeufe  of  labor  which 
now  feems  ufelefs,  and  is  regretted  by  thole  who  form  a  judg- 
ment from  xafter  knowledge.  But  I  tru.fl,  men  of  difcernment 
will  think  differently,  and  fee  that  by  fuch  works  and  prepara- 
tions we  have  not  only  delayed  the  operations  of  the  campaign 
till  it  is  too  late  to  effect  any  capital  incurlion  into  the  coun- 
try, but  have  drawn  the  enemy's  forces  to  one  point  and  oblig- 
ed them  to  \difctye\  their  plan,  fo  as  to  enable  us  to  foim  our, 
defence  on  forne  certainty. 

It  isnow  extremely  obvious  frpra  all  inteUigence,-*-from  their 
movements,  and,  every  other  circumftance, — that  having  landed 
their  whole  army  on  Long-lfland  (except  about  four  thoufaud 
on  Staten-Ifland),  they  mean  to  inclofe  us  on  the  iflan4  °*  New- 
York  by  taking  poft  in  our  rear  while  the  (hipping  effectually 
fecure  the  front  j  and  thus,  either  by  cutting  off  our  communica- 
tion with  the  country,  oblige  us  to  fight  them  on  their  own, 
terms,  or  furreoder  at  difcretion, — or  by  a  brilliant  ftroke  en- 
deavor to  cut  this  army  in  pieces,  and  fecure  the  collection  of 
arms  and  ftores,  which  they  well  know  we  (hall  not  be  able  foon 
to  replace. 

Having  therefore  their  fyftem  unfolded  to  us,  it  became  an  im-t 
portant  consideration  how  it  could  be  mofl  fuccefsfully  opppfed. 
On  every  fide  there  is  a  choice  of  difficulties  \  and  every  mea? 
fure  o,n  our  part  (however  painful  the  reflexion  is  from  experi- 
ence) to  be  formed  with  fpme  apprehenfion  that  all  our  troops 
will  not  do  their  c\uty.  In  deliberating  on  this  great  queltion, 
it  was  impoflible  tq  fprget,  that  hiflory,  our  own  experience, 
the  advice  of  our  ableft  friends  in  Europe,  the  fears  of  the  ene- 
my, and  even  the  declarations  of  Congrefs,  demonstrate,  that  on 
pur  fide  the  war  Ihould  be  defenfive — (it  has  ever  been  called 
a  war  of  pofls)  j— 4hat  we  fhould  on  all  occailons  avoid  a  gene- 
ral 


20(5  GENERAL  WASHINGTON'S 

ral  a&on,  nor  put  any  thing  to  the  rifk,  unlefs  compelled  by  a 
zjeceffity  into  which  we  ought  never  to  be  drawn. 

The  arguments  on  which  fuch  a  fyftem  was  founded  were 
deemed  unanfwertible  ;  and  experience  has  given  her  fan&ion. 
With  thefe  views  and  being  fully  perfuaded  that  it  would  be 
preiurnption  to  draw  out  her  young  tioops  into  open  ground  a- 
.!}  their  fuperiors  both  in  number  and  difcipline,  I  have  ne- 
ver fpared  the  fpade  and  pickaxe.  I  confefs  1  have  not  found 
readinefs  to  defend  even  {hong  polls  at  all  hazards,  which 
is  necefiary  to  derive  the  greatett  benefit  from  them.  The  ho- 
nor of  making  a  brave  defence  does  not  feem  to  be  a  fufficient 
iHmulus  when,  fuccefs  is  very  doubtful,  and  the  falling  into  the 
enemy's  hands  probable  :  but  I  doubt  not,  this  will  be  gradual- 
ly attained.- — We  aie  now  in  a  ilrong  poll,  but  not  an  impieg- 
riable  one,  nay,  acknowledged  by  every  man  of  judgment  to  be 
untenable,  unlefs  the  enemy  will  make  the  attack  upon  lines  when 
they  can  avoid  it,  and  their  movements  indicate  that  they  mean 
to  do  fo. 

To  draw  the  whole  army  together  in  order  to  arrange  the 
defence  .proportionate  to  the  extent  of  lines  and  works,  would 
leave  the  country  open  for  an  approach,  and  put  the  fate  of  this 
army  and  its  (tores  on  the  hazard  of  making  a  fuccefsful  defence 
in  the  city,  or  the  iiTue  of  an  engagement  out  of  it.  On  the  o- 
ther  hand,  to  abandon  a  city  which  has  been  by  fome  deemed 
defensible,  and  on  whofe  works  much  labor  has  been  bellowed, 
has  a  tendency  to  difpirit  the  troops  and  enfeeble  our  caufe. 
It  has  allo  been  confidered  as  the  key  to  the  northern  counrry. 
But  as  to  that,  I  am  fully  of  opinion  that  the  e'ilabliihing  of 
flrong  poRs  at  Mount-Wafhin^ton  on  the  upper  pait  of  this  if- 
land,  and  on  the  Jerfey  fide  oppofite  to  it,  with  the  affiftance  of 
the  obftrucYions  already  ma-le  (arid  \vhich  may  be  improved) 
in  the  water,  not  only  the  navigation  of  IJndfon's-river,  but  an 
calier  and  better  communication  may  be  effectually  fecured  be- 
tween the  northern  and  fouthern  fta'ces.  This,  I  believe,  every 
one  acquainted  with  the  fitimtion  of  the  country  will  readily 
agree  to  :  ?nd  it  will  appear  evident  to  thofe  who  have  an  op- 
portunity of  recurring  to  good  ma^s. 

Tbefe  and  many  other  confequences;  which  will  be  involved 
in  the  determination  of  our  next  meaiure,  have  given  our  minds 
full  employ,  and  led  every  one  to  form  a  judgment  as  various 
objects  preferred  themfelves  to  his  view* 

The  poll  at  King/bridge  is  naturally  ftrong,  and  is  pretty  well 
fortified  :  the  heights  about  it  are  commanding,  and  might  foon 
f^e  made  more  fo.     Thcfe  are  important  objects,  and  I  have  at- 
tended 


OFFICIAL  '  LE'TTEIt  S  20? 

tended  to  them  accordingly.  I  "have  alSd  removed  frtirn  the 
city  all  the  ftpres  and  ammunition  except  what  was  absolutely 
neceffary  for  it«j  defence,  and  made  every  other  difpofition  that 
did  not  effentially  interfere  with  the  objeft, — carefully  keeping 
in  view,  until  it  Oiould  be  abSolutely  determined  on  full  confi- 
deration,  how  far  the  city  was  to  be  defended  at  all  events. 

In  refolving  points  of  fuch  importance,  many  circumfta'nce* 
peculiar  to  our  own  army  alfo  occur.  Being  only  provided 
for  a  Summer's  campaign,  their  clothes,  ffi**,  and  blankets, 
will  ioon  be  unfit  for  the  change  of  weather  which  we  every 
day  feel.  At  prefent  we  have  not  tents  for  more  than  two- 
thirds,  many  of  them  old  and  worn  out  :  but  if  we  had  a  plen- 
tiful Supply,  the  SeaSon  will  not  admit  of  continuing  in  them 
long.— The  cafe  of  our  fick  is  alfo  worthy  of  much  coniidera- 
tion.  Their  number,  by  the  returns,  forms  at  leatt  one-fourth 
of  the  army.  Policy  and  humanity  require  they  fhould  be 
made  as  comfortable  as  pofTible. 

With  thefe,  and  many  other  circumftanees  before  them,  the 
whole  council  oS  general  officers  met  yeftcrday  in  order  to  a,- 
dopt  fprne  general  line  of conduft  to  be  purfued  at  this  import- 
ant cniis,  I  intended  to  have  procured  their  Separate  opinions 
on  each  point  -,  but  time  would  not  admit.  I  was  therefore 
obliged  to  collect  their  SenSe  more  generally  than  I  could  have 
wifhed All  agreed  the  town  would  not  be  tenable  if  the  ene- 
my refolved  to  bombard  and  cannonade  it  :  but  the  difficulty 
attending  a  removal  Operated  So  ftrongly,  that  a  courSe  was.tal 
ken  between  abandoning  it  totally  and'concentring  our  whole 
ftrength  for  its  defence  :  nor  were  Some  a  little  influenced  ia 
their  opinion,  to  whom  the  determination  of  CongreSs  was 
known,  againil  an  evacuation  totally,  as  they  were  led  to  SuS- 
pea  CongreSs  wilhed  it  to  be  maintained  at  every  hazard. 

It  was  concluded  to  arrange  the  army  under  three  divisions; 

—five  thouSand   to  remain  for  the  defence  of  the  city  5— nine 

thoufand  to  Kingfbridg*  and  its  dependencies,  as  well  to  poiTefs 

and  Secure  thole  pofts,  as  to  be  ready  to  attack  the  enemy  who 

I  are  moving^eaflward  on  Long-ffland,  if  they  mould  attempt  to 

|  land  on   this  Side  ; — the  remainder  to  occupy  the  intermediate 

ipace,  and  Support  either  j— that  the  Sickfliould  be  immediately 

removed  to  Orange-town,  and  barracks  prepared  at  Kingibrid^e 

with  all  expedition  to  cover  the  troops. 

^  There  were  Some  general  officers,  in  whofe" judgment  snd  op;- 

ion  much  confidence  is  to  be  repoSed,  that  were  for  a  total  and 

immediate  removal  Srom  the  city  purging  the  great  danger  of 

te  pan  of  the  army  being  cut  off  before  the  other  can 


If 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON"1* 

it,  the  extremities  being  at  leaft  fixteen  miles  apart  j-^tliat  out 
army,  when  collected,  is  inferior  to  the  enemy  ;— ; -that  they  can 
move  with  their  whole  force  to  any  point  of  attack,  and  con- 
icquently  muft  fucceed  by  weight  of  numbers,  if  they  have  on- 
ly a  part  to  oppofe  them  •, — -that,  by  removing  from  hence,  we 
deprive  the  enemy  of  the  advantage  of  their  fliips,  which  will 
make  at  leaft  one  half  of  the  force  to  attack  the  town  ; — that 
we  fhould  keep  the  enemy  at  bay,  put  nothing  to  the  hazard, 
but  at  all  events  keep  the  army  together,  which  may  be  re- 
cruited another  year  ; — that  the  unfpent  ftores  will  alfo  be  pre- 
Served  ;  and,  in  this  cafe,  the  heavy  Artillery  can  allb  be  fecur- 
cd.  But  they  were  over-ruled  by  a  majority,  who  thought  for 
the  prefent  a  part  of  our  fotce  might  be  kept  here,  and  attempt 
to  maintain  the  city  a  while  longer. 

I  am  fenfible  a  retreating  army  is  encircled  with  difficulties ; 
that  the  declining  an  engagement  fubjecls  a  general  to  reproach  ; 
and  that  the  common  caufe  may  be  affected  by  the  difcourarp- 
ment  it  may  throw  over  the  minds  of  many.  Nor  am  I  inft'n- 
iible  of  the  contrary  effects,  if  a  brilliant  ftroke  could  be  rj#de 
with  any  probability  of  fuccefs,  efpecially  after  our  lo&;  upon 
Long-Ifland.  But,  when  the  fate  of  America  may  be  at  flake 
on  the  iffue, — when  the  wifdom  of  cooler  moments  and  experi- 
enced men  have  decided  that  we  fhould  protract  the  war,  if 
poffible, — I  cannot  think  it  fafe  or  wife  to  adopt  a  different  fyf- 
tern  when  the  feafon  for  action  draws  fo  near  a  clofe. 

That  the  enemy  mean  to  winter  in  New-York,  there  can  be 
feo  doubt  : — that,  with  fuch  an  armament  they  can  drive  us  out, 
is  equally  clear.— The  Congrefs  having  reiblved  that  it  ihould 
not  be  deftroyed,  nothing  feerris  to  remain,  but  to  determine 
the  time  of  their  taking  poffeflion.  It  is  our  intereft  and  wifh 
to  prolong  it  as  much  as  podible,  provided  the  delay  does  not 
$ffect  our  future  meafures. 

The  reilitia  of  Connecticut  is  reduced,  from  fix  thoufand,  to 
Icfs  than  two  thoufand,  and  in  a  few  da^s  will  be  merely  nomi- 
nal. The  arrival  of  feme  Maryland  troops,  &c.  from  the  fly- 
ing camp,  has  in  a  great  degree  fupplied  the  lofs  of  men  :  but 
the  ammunition  they  have  carried  away  will  be  a  lofs  fenfibly 
felt.  The  impuife  for  going  home  was  fo  irrefiftible,  it  an- 
i.wered  no  pui'pofe  to  oppofe  it.  Though  I  would  not  difchargc, 
I  have  been  obliged  to  acquiefce  \  and  it  affords  me  more  me- 
lancholy proof,  how  deluiive  fuch  dependencies  are-. 

Inclofed  I  have    the   honor  to  tranfmit  a  general  return,  the 
firft  I  have  been  able  to  procure  for  fome  time  ;   alfo  a  report 
u£  captain  Ncwcli   from  our  works  at  HornVhook  or  Hell- 
sate, 


OFFICIAL     LETTERS.  409 

Their  fituation  is  extremely  low,  and  the  Sound  fo  very- 
narrow,  that  the  enemy  have  them  much  within  their  com- 
mand.-^1  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c.  Q.  W. 
P.  S.  The  inclofed  information  this  minute  came  to  hand. — • 
I  am  in  hopes  we  (hall  henceforth  get  regular  intelligence  of 
the  enemy's  movements. 


SIR,  New-Tork,  September  li,   1776* 

I  WAS  yefterday  honored  with  your  favor  of  the  eighth 
Jnftant,  accompanied  by  feveral  refolutions  of  Congrefs,  to 
which  I  (hall  pay  the  ftrifteft  attention,  and,  in  the  irtltaniges 
required,  make  them  the  future 'rule  of  my  conduct. 

The  mode  of  negociation  purfued  by  lord  Howe  I  did  not 
approve  of  ;  but  as  general  Sullivan  was  fent  out  upon  the  bu- 
iinefs,  and  with  a  ineflage  to  Congrefs,  I  could  not  conceive 
myfelf  at  liberty  to  interfere  in  the  matter,  as  he  was  in  the 
character  of  a  piifoner,  and  totally  fubjecl  to  their  power  and 
direction. 

The  lift  of  prifoners,  before  omitted  through  hurry,  Is  now 
inclofed  j  though  it  wrill  probably  have  reached  Congrefs  before 
this. — -I  (hall  write  by  the  firfl  opportunity  for  niajor  Hawfakfe 
to  repair  to  Philadelphia — (he  is  in  the  northern  army)  ; — > 
and  will  alfo  mention  the  federal  appointments  in  confequence 
of  colonel  St.  Glair's  promotion. 

As  foon  as  generals  Prefcot  arid  McDonald  arrive,  I  (hall  take 
meafures  to  advife  general  Howe  of  it.  that  the  propofed  ex- 
change for  general  Sullivan  and  lord  Stirling  may  be  cariied 
into  execution. 

Since  my  letter  of  the  eighth,  nothing  material  has  occurf  ed, 
except  that  the  enemy  have  poffeiTed  themfelvei  of  Monte- 
zore's-Ifland,  and  landed  a  confiderable  number  of  troop's  upon 
it.  This  iiland  lies  in  the  mouth  of  Haerlair-river,  which  runs 
out  of  the  Sound  into  the  North-river,  and  will  give  the  ene- 
my an  eafy  opportunity  of  landing  either1  On  the  low  grounds 
of  Morrifania,  if  their  views  are  to  feize  and  po-Tefs  the  paffes 
above  Kingfbridge,  or  on  the  plains  of  Haerlem,  if  they  defign 
to  intercept  and  cut  off  the  communication  between  our  feveral 
ports.  I  am  making  every  difpolition  and  arrangement  that  the 
divided  itate  of  our  troops  will  admit  of,  and  which  appear 
moil  likely  and  the  be  ft  calculated  to  oppofe  their  attacks  j  for 
I  prefume  there  will  be  feveral. — How  the  event  will  be,  God 
only  knows  ;  but  you  may  be  affured  that  nothing  in  my  power, 

D  d  circumstanced 


2io  GENERAL  WASHINGTON'* 

circumflanced  as  I  am,  (hall  be  wanting,  to  effe<?t  a  favorable 
and  happy  iifue. 

By  my  letter  of  the  eighth  you  would  perceive  that  feveral 
of  the  council  were  for  holding  the  town,  conceiving  it  practi- 
cable for  fome  time.  Many  of  them  now,  upon  feeing  our  di- 
vided fUte,  have  altered  their  opinion,  and  allow  the  expedi- 
diency  and  neceflity  of  concentring  our  whole  force,  or  draw- 
ing it  more  together.  Convinced  of  the  propriety  of  this  mea- 
fure,  I  am  ordering  our  ftores  away,  except  fuch  as  may  be 
abfolutely  necefiary  to  keep  as  long  as  our  troops  remain  , 
that,  if  an  evacuation  of  the  city  becomes  inevitable  (which 
certainly  muft  be  the  cafe),  there  may  be  as  little  to  remove  as 
fcoffibltf. 

The  inclofed  packet  contains  feveral  letters  for  particular 
members  of  Congrefs  and  for  fome  gentlemen  in  Philadelphia. 
They  came  to  hand  yefterday,  and  were  brought  from  France 
by  a  captain  Levez  lately  arrived  at  Bedford  in  the  Maflachu- 
fetts  ftate.  I  muft  requeft  the  favor  of  you  to  open  the  pack- 
et, and  to  have  the  letters  put  in  a  proper  channel  of  convey- 
ance to  the  gentlemen  they  are  addreffed  to. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c.  G.  W. 


SIR,  Head-quarter \r,  New-York,  Sept.  1 2,   1776. 

HIS  excellency  being  called  from  head-quarters  to-day 
en  bufinefs  of  importance  which  prevents  his  writing,  I  there- 
fore do  myfelf  the  honor  to  inform  Congrefs  of  w'hat  has  hap- 
pened fince  his  letter  of  yefterday. 

Laft  evening  the  enemy  tranfported  a  number  of  men  from 
Buchanan's  to  Montezore's  ifland,  and,  by  their  feveral  move- 
ments, more  ftrongly  indicate  their  intention  to  land  fomewhere 
about  Haerlem  or  Morrifania, — moft  likely,  at  both  at  the 
"fame  time.  This  morning  one  of  the  {hips  that  have  been  for 
fome  time  in  the  Sound  moved  down  towards  Hell-gate  j  but, 
the  tide  leaving  her,  (he  could  hot  get  near  enough  to  bring 
her  guns  to  bear  upon  our  fortification.  If  me  means  to  attack 
it,  it  is  probable  (lie  will  warp  in  the  next  tide.  Their  batte- 
ries have  kept  up  a  pretty  conftant  fire  againft  ours  at  that 
place,  but  without  any  confiderable  effect.  This  morning  they 
©pened  a  new  one. 

I  do  not  recollect  any  other  material  occurrence,  and  fliall 
only  add,  that  I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c. 

R.  H.  HARRISON. 

New* 


OFFICIAL  LETTERS. 

SIR,  New-York,  September  14, 

I  HAVE  been  duly  honored  with  your  favor  of  the  tenth, 
with  the  refolution  of  Congrefs  which  accompanied  it,  and 
thank  them  for  the  confidence  they  repofe  in  my  judgment  re- 
fpecling  the  evacuation  of  the  city.  I  could  wifh  to  maintain 
it,  becauie  I  know  it  to  be  of  importance  :  but  I  am  fully  con- 
vinced that  it  cannot  be  done,  and  that  an  attempt  for  that 
purpofe,  if  perfevered  in,  might  and  molt  certainly  would  be 
attended  with  qonfequences  the  mofl  fatal  and  alarming  in  their 
nature. 

Senfible  of  this,  feveral  of  the  general  officers,  fince  the  de- 
termination of  the  council  mentioned  in  my  laft,  petitioned  that 
a  fecond  council  might  be  called  to  reconfider  the  proportions 
which  had  been  before  them  upon  the  fubject.  Accordingly  I 
called  one  on  the  twelfth,  when  a  large  majority  not  only  de- 
termined a  removal  of  the  army  prudent,  but  abfolutely  necef- 
fary, — declaring  they  were  entirely  convinced  from  a  full  arid 
minute  inquiry  into  our  fituation,  that  it  was  extremely  peril- 
ous ;  and,  from  every  movement  of  the  enemy,  and  the  intel- 
ligence received,  their  plan  of  operations  was  to  get  in  our 
rear,  and,  by  cutting  off  the  communication  with  the  main,  ob- 
lige us  to  force  a  paflage  through  them  on  the  terms  they  wifh, 
or  to  become  prifoners  in  fome  Ihort  time  for  want  of  neceffary 
fupplies  of  provifion. 

We  are  now  taking  every  method  in  our  power  to  remove 
the  itores,  &c.  in  which  we  find  almoft  infuperable  difficulties. 
They  are  fo  great  and  fo  numerous,  that  I  fear  we  mall  not  ef- 
fect the  whole  before  we  meet  with  fom.e  interruption. — I  fully 
expected  that  an  attack  fomewhere  would  have  been  made  laft 
night.  In  that  I  was  difappointed  j  and  happy  fhall  I  be,  if 
my  apprehenfions  of  one  to-night,  or  in  a  day  or  two,  are  not 
confirmed  by  the  event.  If  it  is  deferred  a  little  while  longer, 
I  flatter  myfclf  all  will  be  got  away,  and  our  force  be  more 
concentred,  and  of  courfe  more  likely  to  refift  them  with  fuc- 
cefs. 

Yefterday  afternoon,  four  {hips  of  war,  two  of  forty  and  two 
of  twenty-eight  guns  went  up  the  Eaft-river,  pafling  between 
Governor's  and  Long-Ifland,  and  anchored  about  a  mile  above 
the  city,  oppofite  Mr.  Stivanfent's,  where  the  Rofe  man-of- 
war  was  lying  before.  The  defign  of  their  going  not  being 
certainly  known,  gives  rife  to  various  conjectures,— fome  fup* 
pofing  they  are  to  cover  the  landing  of  a  party  of  the  enemy  a- 
bovc  the  city, — others  that  they  are  to  aflift  in  deftroying  our 

battery 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON^ 

battery  at  Horn's-hopk,  that  they  may  have  a  free  and  un-in- 
terrupted  navigation  in  the  Sound.  It  is  an  objeft  of  great  im- 
portance to  them,  and  what  they  are  induftrioufly  trying  to  ef- 
fect by  a  pretty  conftant  cannonade  and  bombardment. 

Before  I  conclude,  I  would  beg  leave  to  mention  to  Con- 
grcfs,  that  the  pay  now  allowed  to  nurfes  for  their  attendance 
on  the  fick  is  by  no  means  adequate  to  their  fervices  ^  the  con- 
fequence  of  which  is,  that  tl^ey  are  extremely  difficult  to  pro- 
cure :  indeed  they  are  not  to  be  got  j  and  we  are  under  the 
neceffity  of  fubftituting  in  their  place  a  number  of  men  from 
the  refpeclive  regiments,  whofe  fervice  by  that  means  is  en- 
tirely loft  in  the  proper  line  of  their  duty,  and  but  little  bene- 
fit rendered  to  the  fick.  The  officers  I  have  talked  with  upon 
the  fubjeft  all  agree  that  they  mould  be  allowed  a  dollar  per 
WTeek,  and  that  for  lefs  they  cannot  be  had. 

Our  fick  are  extremely  numerous,  and  we  find  their  removal 
attended  with  the  greater!  difficulty.  It  is  a  matter  that  em- 
ploys much  of  our  time  and  care  j  and  what  makes  it  more  dii~ 
treflmg  is  the  want  of  proper  and  convenient  place*  for  their 
qreception. — I  fear  their  fufferings  will  be  great  and  many. 
However,  nothing  on  my  part,  that  humanity  or  policy  can  re- 
quire, fhall  be  wanting  to  make  them  comfortable,  fo  far  as 
the  itate  of  things  will  admit  of. 

J  have  the  honor  to  be,   &c.  G,  W. 


at  col.  Roger  Morris's  houfe,  Sept.  16, 


ON  faturday,  about  funfet,  fix  more  of  the  enemy's  mips, 
cne  or  two  of  which  were  men-of-war  paffed  between  Gover- 
nor'sriflan4  and  Red-hook,  and  went 'up  the  Eaft-river  to  the 
Nation  taken  by  thofe  mentioned  in  my  laft.  In  half  an  hour 
I  received  two  exprefies, — one  from  colonel  Serjeant  at  Hqrn's- 
hook  [Hell-gate]  giving  an  account  that  the  enemy,  to  the  a- 
mount  of  three  or  four  thoufand,  had  marched  to  the  river,  and 
were  embarking  for  Barns's  or  Montezore's-ifland,  where  num- 
bers of  them  were  then  encamped  j — the  other  from  general 
Alifflin,  that  uncommon  and  formidable  movements  were  difco- 
vered  among  the  enemy  ;  which  being  confirmed  by  the  fcouts 
I  had  fent  out,  I  proceeded  to  Haerlem,  where  it  was  fuppofed 
(or  at  Morrifania  oppofite  to  it)  the  principal  attempt  to  land 
yyppld  be  made.  However,  nothjng  remarkable  .happened  that 

night : 


OFFICIAL    LETTER  S. 

night :  but  in  the  morning  they  began  their  operations.  Three 
Ihips  of  war^came  up  the  North-river  as  high  as  Bloomingdaltj, 
which  put  a  total  irop  to  the  removal,  by  water,  of  any  more 
of  our  proviiion,  &c.  and  about  eleven  o'clock,  thofe  in  the 
Eaft-river  began  a  moil  fevere  and  heavy  cannonade,  to  fcour 
the  grounds,  and  cover  the  landing  of  their  troops  between 
Turtle-bay  and  the  city,  where  breait  works  had  been  thiown 
up  to  oppofe  them. 

As  foon  as  I  heard  the  firkig,  I  rode  with  all  pofTibls  difpatch 
towards  the  place  of  landing,  when,  to  my  great  furprife  and 
mortification,  I  found  the  troops  that  had  been  poilecl  in  tl^e 
lines  retreating  with  the  utmoft  precipitation,  and  thofe  ordered 
to  fupport  them  (Parfons  and  Fellows's  brigades)  flying  in  eve- 
ry direction,  and  in  the  greatell  confufion,  notwithftaading  the 
exertions  of  their  generals  to  form  them.  I  ufed  every  means 
in  my  power  to  rally  and  get  them  into  fome  orcjer :  but  my  at- 
tempts were  fruitless  and  ineffectual  j  and  on  the  appearance  of 
a  fmall  party  of  the  enemy,  not  more  than  fixty  or  feventy, 
their  diforder  increafed,  and  they  ran  away  in  the  greatefl  coajn 
fufion,  without  firing  a  fingle  Ihot. 

Finding  that  no  confidence  was  to  be  placed  in  thefe  brigade^ 
and  apprehending  that  another  party  of  the  enemy  might  pafs 
over  to  Haerlem  plains  and  cut  off  the  retreat  to  this  place,  1 
fent  orders  to  fecure  the  heights  in  the  belt  manner  with  the 
troops  that  were  llationed  on  and  near  them  ;  which  being  done, 
the  retreat  was  effected  with  but  little  or  no  lofs  of  men,  though 
of  a  confiderable  part  of  our  baggage,— occafioned  by  this  clif- 
graceful  and  daftardly  conduct.  'Moft  of  our  heavy  cannon,  and 
a  part  of  our  ftores  and  proviiions  which  we  were  about  remov- 
ing, was  unavoidably  left  in  the  city,  though  every  mean:>  (af- 
ter it  had  been  determined  in  council  to  evacuate  the  poll)  had 
been  ufed  to  prevent  it. 

We  are  now  encamped  with  the  main  body  of  the  army  on 
the  heights  of  Haerlem,  where  I  fhould  hope  the  enemy  would 
meet  with  a  defeat  in  cafe  of  an  attack,  if  the  generality  of  oui- 
troops  would  behave  with  tolerable  bravery.  But  experience, 
to  rny  extreme  affliction,  has  convinced  me  that  thts  is  rather  to 
be  wilhed  for  than  expected.  However,  I  trull  that  there  are 
many  who  will  act  lik£  men,  and  (hew  themfelves  worthy  o£ 
the  bleffmgs  of  freedom. 

I  have  fent  out  fome  reconnoitring  parties  to  gain  intelli- 
gence, if  poflible,  of  the  difpofition  of  the  enemy,  and  mall  in- 
form Congreis  of  every  material  event  by  the  earlieft.oppoitu- 
riity.— I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c,  £.  W, 

Heatf, 


214  GENERAL  WASHINGTON'S 

Head-quarters  at  col.  R.  Morris's  houfe,  Sept.  18,  1776. 


S: 


AS  my  letter  of  the  fixteenth  contained  intelligence  of  an 
important  nature,  and  fuch  as  might  lead  Congreis  to  expect 
that  the  evacuation  of  New-York  and  retreat  to  the  heights  of 
Haerlem,  in  the  manner  they  were  made,  would  he  fucceeded 
by  fome  other  inttrefcing  event,  I  beg  leave  to  inform  them 
that  as  yet  nothing  has  been  attempted  upon  a  large  and  gene- 
ral plan  of  attack. 

About  the  time  of  the  poft's  departure  with  iny  letter,  the 
enemy  appeared  in  feveral  large  bodies  ifpon  the  plains  about 
two  and  a  half  miles  from  hence.  I  rode  down  to  our  advan- 
ced pofts,  to  put  matters  in  a  proper  fituation  if  they  mould  at- 
tempt to  come  on.  When  I  arrived  there  I  heard  a  firing, 
which,  [  was  informed,  was  between  a  party  of  our  rangers  un- 
der the  command  of  lieutenant-colonel  Knolton,  and  an  ad- 
vanced party  of  the  enemy.  Our  men  came  in  and  told  me 
that  the  body  of  the  enemy,  who  kept  themfclves  concealed, 
confided  of  about  three  hundred  as  near  as  they  could  gaefs. 
I  immediately  ordered  three  companies  of  colonel  Weedon's 
regiment  from  Virginia,  under  the  command  of  major  Leitch, 
and  colonel  Knolton  with  his  rangers  compofed  of  volunteers 
from  different  New-England  regiments,  to  try  to  get  in  their 
rear,  while  a  difpolition  was  making  as  if  to  attack  them  in 
front,  and  thereby  draw  their  whole  attention  that  way. 

'1  his  took  effect  as  I  v.iihed  on  the  part  of  the  enemy.  On 
the  appearance  of  our  party  in  front,  they  immediately  ran 
down  trre  hill,  took  pofieOion  of  fomc  fences  and  buihes,  and 
a  fmart  firing  began,  but  at  too  great  a  diftance  to  do  much  ex- 
ecution on  either  fide.  1  he  parties  under  colonel  Knolton  and 
major  Leitch  unluckily  began  their  attack  too  foon,  as  it  was 
rather  in- flank  than  in  rear.— In  a  little  time  major  Leitch  was 
brought  oil"  wounded,  having  received  three  balls  through  his 
fide  ;  and,  in  a  iuort  time  after,  colonel  Knolton  got  a  wound 
which  proved  mortal.  Their  men,  however,  perfevertd,  and 
continued  the  engagement  with  the  greatefl  tefolution. 

Finding  that  they  wanted  a  fuppo'rt,  I  advanced  part  of  co- 
lonel Griffith's  • and  cplonel  Richardfon's  Maryland  regiments, 
with  forae  detachments  from  the  eaftern  regiments  who  were 
neareit  the  place  of  action.  Thefe  troops  charged  the^  enemy 
with  great  intrepidity,  and  drove  them  from  the  wood  into  the 
plain,  and  were  puihing  them  from,  thence  ("having  filenced 

their 


OFFICIAL    LETTERS.  315 

their  fire  in  a  great  meafure)  when  I  judged  it  prudent  to  or- 
der a  retreat,  fearing  the  enemy  (as  I  have  fince  found  was  realiy- 
the  cafe)  were  fending  a  large  body  to  fupport  their  party. 

Major  Leitch,  I  am  in  hopes,  will  recover  :  but  colonel 
Knolton's  fall  is  much  to  be  regretted,  as  that  of  a  brave  and 
good  officer. — We  had  about  forty  wounded :  'the  number  of 
flam  is  not  yet  afcertained:  but  it  is  very  inconfiderable. 

By  a  ferjeant  who  deferted  from  the  enemy  and  came  in  this 
morning,  I  find  that  their  party  was  greater  than  I  imagined. 
It  confifted  of  the  fecond  battalion  of  light  infantry,  a  battalion 
of  the  Royal  Highlanders,  and  three  companies  of  Median  ri- 
flemen, under  the  command  of  brigadier-general  Leflie.  The 
deferter  reports  that  their  lofs  in  wounded  and  milling  was 
eighty-nine,  and  eight  killed.  In  the  latter,  his  account  is  too 
fmall,  as  our  people  difcovered  and  buried  double  that  number. 
This  affair,  I  am  in  hopes,  will  be  attended  with  many  falutary 
confequences,  as  it  feems  to  have  greatly  infpired  the  whole  of 
our  troops. — The  ferjeant  further  adds  that  a  confiderable  body 
of  men  are  now  encamped  from  the  Eait  to  the  North-river, 
between  the  feven  and  eight-mile  Hones,  under  the  command 
of  general  Clinton.— General  Howe,  he  believes,  has  his  quar- 
ters at  Mr.  Apthorp's  houfe. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c.  G.  W. 

P.  S.  I  fhould  have  wrote  to  Congrefs  by  exprefs  before 
now,  had  I  not  expe&ed  the  poft  every  minute  5  which,  I  flat- 
ter myfelf,  will  be  a  fufficient  apology  for  my  delaying  it.-— 
The  late  lofles  we  have  fuftained  in  our  baggage  and  camp  ne- 
ceflaries  have  added  much  to  our  diftrefs  which  was  very  great 
before.  I  muft  therefore  take  the  liberty  of  requefting  Con- 
grefs to  have  forwarded  as  foon  as  poilible  fuch  a  fupply  of 
tents,  blankets,  camp-kettles,  and  other  articles,  as  can  be  col- 
lected.— We  cannot  be  overftocked. 


Head-quarters  at  col.  R.  Morris's  hottfe,  Sept.  19,  1776. 

SIR, 

SINCE  I  had  the  honor  of  addrefiing  you  yefterday,  no- 
thing material  has  occurred.  However,  it  is  probable  in  a  lit- 
tle time  the  enemy  will  attempt  to  force  us  from  hence,  as  we 
are  informed  they  are  bringing  many  of  their  heavy  cannon  to- 
wards the  heights  and  the  works  we  have  thrown  up.  They 
have  alfo  eight  or  nine  (hips  of  war  in  the  North-river,  which 


CENERAE  WASHINGTON'S 

(it  is  faid)  are  to  cannonade  our  right  flank  when  they  open 
their  batteries  againft  our  front.  Every  difpofition  is  making 
on  our  part  for  defence  :  and  Congrefs  may  be  aiTured  that  I 
fhnil  do  every  thingin  my  power  to  maintain  the  pod  fo  long  as 
it  'hall  appear  practicable,  and  conducive  to  the  general  good. 
I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c.  G.  W. 


s,  Heights  of  Haertem,  September  2$,   17/6. 
SIR, 


been  honored  with  your  favor  of  the  fixteentti 
"with  its  irtclofures.  —  To  prevent  the  injury  and  abufes  which 
would  arife  from  the  militia  and  other  troops  carrying  away 
nrnmunication  and  continental  property,  I  have  published  the 
JTabflance  of  the  refolves  upon  the  fubjecl:  in  general  orders. 

Since  my  letter  of  yefterday,  nothing  of  importance  has  caft 
tsp.  —  The  enemy  are  forming  a  large  and  extenfive  encamp- 
ment in  the  plains  mentioned  in  my  lail,  and  are  bufily  em- 
ployed in  transporting  their  cannon  and  ftores  from  Long-If- 
land.  As  they  advance  them  this  way,  we  may  reafonably 
expect  their  operations  will  not  long  be  deferred. 

Inclcfed  are  fundry  letters,  &c.  to  which  Congrefs  will  be 
pleafed  to  pay  fuch  regard  as  they  may  think  them  deferving 
of.  —  The  letter  from  monfieur  .....  came  open  under  cover 
of  one  to  me.  —  Thofe  from  colonel  Hand  and  colonel  Ward 
contain  a  lift  of  vacancies  in  their  regiments,  and  of  the  perfons 
they  eiteem  proper  to  fill  them.  The  former,  I  believe,  re- 
turned no  lift  before;  the  latter  fays  he  never  got  any  com- 
sniflions,  —  Generals  Howe  and  Erfkine's  proclamations  fliew  the 
meafares  that  have  been  purfued,  to  force  and  feduce  the  in- 
habitants of  Loog-Ifland  from  their  allegiance  to  the  Hates,- 
and  to  affift  in  their  deftruclion. 

As  the  period'  will  foon  arrive,  when  the  troops  composing 
tpc  prefent  army  (a  few  excepted)  will  be  difbanded  according 
to  the  tenor  of  their  enliftrnents,  and  the  mofl  fatal  confequen- 
ces  may  enfue  if  a  fuitable  and  timely  proviiion  is  not  made  in 
instance,  I  take  the  liberty  of  fuggefting  to  Congrefs  not 
only  the  expediency  but  the  abfolute  neceiTity  there  is  that  their 
earliefc  attention  ihould  be  had  to  this  fubjecl:.  In  refpecl  to 
the  time  that  troops  mould  be  engaged  for,  I  have  frequently 
given  my  fcntiments  ;  nor  have  I  omitted  to  exprefs  my  opini- 
on of  the  difficulties  that  will  attend  railing  them,  nor  of  the 

impra6ti- 


OFFICIAL     LETTERS. 

impracticability  of  effecting  it  without  the  allowance  of  a  large 
and  extraordinary  bounty. 

ft  is  a  melancholy  and  painful  confederation  to  thofe  who  are 
concerned  in  the  work  and  have  the  command,  to  be  forming  ar- 
mies conftantly,  and  to  be  left  by  troops  juft  when  they  begin 
to  deferve  the  name,  or  perhaps  at  a  moment  when  an  impor- 
tant blow  is  expected.  This,  I  am  informed,  will  be  the  cafe 
at  Tyconderoga  with  part  of  the  troops  there,  unlefs  fome 
fyftem  is  immediately  come  into,  by  which  they  can  be  induced 
to  flay.  General  Schuyler  tells  me  in  a  letter  received  yefler-t 
Vtay,  that  De  Haas's,  Maxwell's,  and  Wind's  regiments  ftand 
engaged  only  till  the  beginning  of  next  month,  and  that  the 
men,  he  is  fearful,  will  not  remain  longer  than  the  time  of  their 
enliftment. 

I  would  alfo  beg  leave  to  mention  to  Congrefs,  that  the  fea- 
.  fon  is  faft  approaching  when  clothes  of  every  kind  will  be  wa.nt- 
ecl  for  the  army.  Their  diftrefs  is  already  great,  and  Will*  be 
increafed  as  the  weather  becomes  more  fevere.  Our  fituation 
is  now  bad,  but  it  is  much  better  than  that  of  the  militia  that 
are  coming  to  join  us  from  the  ftates  of  the  Mafiachufetts-Bay 
•and  Connecticut,  in  corifequence  of  the  requisition  of  Congrefs. 
•They,  I  am  informed,  have,  not  a  fingle  tent,  or  a  neceiTary  of 
*ny  kind  ;.  nor  can  I  conceive  Irow  it  will  be  poflible  to  fupport 
them.  Thefe  circumftances  are;'  extremely  alarming,  and  ob- 
lige me  to  wifh  Congrefs  to  have  all  the  tents,  clothing  of  eve- 
,ry  kind,  and  camp  neceffaries,  provided  and  forwarded,  that 
are  to  be  procured.  Thefe  eaiiern  reinforcements  have  not  a 
fingle  neceffary,  not  a  pan  or  a  kettle, — in  which  we  are  now 
greatly  deficient. — It  is  with  reluctance  that  I  trouble  Con- 
grefs with  thefe  matters  :  but  to  whom  can  I  refort  for  relief 
-unlefs  to  them  ?  The  neceflity  therefore,  which  urges  the  ap- 
plication, will  excufe  it,  I  am  perfuaded. 

I  have  not  been  able  to  tianfmit  Congrefs  a  general  return 
•of  the  army  this  week,  owing  to  the  peculiar  fituation  of  our 
affairs,  and  the  great  fhifting  and  changing  smong  the  troops. 
A-s  foon  as  I  caa  procure  one,  a  eogy  ihall  be  forwarded  to 
Congrefs.  /.; 

1  have  the  honor  to  be,  8tc.  G.  W', 

P.  S. — September  21,  1776.— Things  with  us  remain  in  the 
fituation  they  were  yefterda^. 


£  e 


31 »  GENERAL  WASHINGTON^ 

SIR,  Head--^uarters,  Haerlem  Heights ,  Sept,  22,   J77&"-- 

I  HAVE  nothing  in  particular  to  communicate  to  Con- 
grefs  refpe&ing  the  fituatron  of  our  affairs  :  it  is  much  the  faras 
as  xvhen  I  had  thor  honor  of  addrefling  you  laft. 

On  friday  night,  about  eleven  or  twelve  o'clock,  a  fire  broke 
out  in  the  city  of  New-York,  near  the  new  or  Saint  Paul's 
church,  as  it  is  faid,  which  continued  to  burn  pretty  rapidly  till 
after  funrife  the  next  morning.  I  have  net  been  informed  how 
the  accident  happened,  nor  received  any  certain  account  of  the 
damage.  Report  fays  many  of  the  houfes  between  Broadway 
and  the  river  were  confumed. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,   &c.  G.  W. 


SIR,  Head-quarters^  Haerlem  Heights,  Sept.   24,   1776. 

THE  poft  being  about  to  depart,  I  have  only  time  to  add 
that  no  event  of  importance  has  taken  place  on  this  fide  Hud- 
fon's-river  fince  my  laft  of  the  twenty-fecond  inftant. 

The  inclofed  letter,  received  laft  night  from  general  Greene 
who  now  commands  in  the  Jerfeys,  will  give  Congrefs  all  the 
information  I  have  refpe&ing  the  evacuation  of  Paulus-Hook 
and  the  landing  of  the  enemy  to  poffefs  it. 

I  this  minute  obtained  a  copy  of  the  general  return-  of  OUT 
force,,  the  firil  I  have  been  able  to  procure  for  fome  time  paft, 
which  I  do  myfelf  the  honor  of  transmitting  for  the  fatisfaclioa 
of  Congrefs. 

I  am,  fir,  with  the  greateft  refpecl,  &c.  G.  W. 

P.  S.  The  thirteen  militia  regiments  from.  Connecticut  be- 
ing reduced  to  a  little  more  than  feven  hundred  men  rank  and 
file  fit  for  duty,  I  have  thought  proper  to  difcharge  the  whole, 
to  fave  the  ftates  the  irnmenfe  charge  that  would  arife  for  offi- 
cers' pay.  There  are  many  militia,  too,  that  have  ju'ft  come  m, 
and  on  their  way  from  that  (late,  none  of  whom  are  provid- 
ed with  a  tent,  ora  finple  canro  utenlil.  This  diilrefies  me  be- 

-."  O  * 

Jond  meature* 


Colons! 


F  i  c  i  A  i  LETTERS. 


Colonel  Morris's  on  the  Heights  of  Ha.erlemt  Sept.  24,   1776, 

SIR, 

FROM  the  hours  allotted  to  fleep  I  tvill  borrow  a  few 
moments  to  convey  my  thoughts  on  fundry  important  matters  to 
Congrefs.  I  fliall  offer  them  with  the  fincerity  which  ought  to 
charade  rife  a  man  of  candor,  and  with  the  freedom  which  mav 
'be  ufed  in  giving  ufeful  information  without  incurring  the  im- 
putation of  prefumption. 

We  are  now,  as  it  were,  upon  the  eve  of  another  diffolution 
of  our  army.  The  remembrance  of  the  difficulties  which  hap- 
pened upon  the  occafion  laft  year,  —  the  confequences  which 
might  have  followed  the  change  if  proper  advantages  had  been 
taken  by  the  enemy,  —  added  to  a  knowledge  of  the  prefent 
tamper  and  fituation  of  the  troops,  —  reflect  but  a  very  gloomy 
-profpedl  upon  the  appearances  of  things  now,  and  fatisfy  me  be- 
yond the  poflibility  of  doubt,  that,  unlefs  fome  fpeedy  and  ef- 
fectual rncafures  are  adopted  by  Congrefs,  our  caufe  will  be 
loft. 

It  is  in  vain  to  expedl  that  any  or  more  than  a  trifling  part 
of  this  army  will  again  engage  in  the  fervice  on  the  encourage- 
ment offered  by  congrefs.  When  men  find  that  their  townfmea 
and  companions  are  receiving  twenty,  thirty,  and  more  dollars, 
for  a  few  months'  fervice  (which  is  truly  the  cafe),  it  cannot 
be  expected,  without  uiing  compulfion  :  and  to  force  them  into 
the  fervice  would  anfwer  no  valuable  purpofe.  When  men  are 
irritated,  and  the  p-iilions  inflamed,  they  fly  haftily  and  cheer- 
fally  to  arms  :  but  after  the  firft  emotions  are  over  *  *  *,  a 
foldier,  reafoned  with  upon  the  goodnefs  of  the  caufe  he  is  en- 
gaged in  and  the  inestimable  rights  he  is  contending  for,  hears 
you  with  patience,  and  acknowledges  the  truth  of  your  obferva- 
tions,  but  adds  tint  it  is  of  no  more  importance  to  him  than  others. 
The  officer  makes  you  the  fame  reply,  with  this  further  re- 
mark, that  his  pay  will  not  fupport  him,  and  he  cannot  ruin 
himfslf  and  family  to  ferve  his  country,  when  every  member  of 
the  community  is  equally  interefted,  and  benefited  by  his  la- 
bors. *  *  * 

It  becomes  evidently  clear  then,  that,  as  this  conteft  is  not 
likely  to  be  the  work  of  a  day,  —  as  the  war  muft  be  carried  on 
iyilematically,  —  and  to  do  it  you  muft  have  good  orHcers.—  -.' 
there  are,  in  my  judgment,  no  other  poflible  means  to  obtain 
them  but  by  eflablimmg  your  army  upon  a  permanent  footing,  and 
-•cr  your  officers  good  pay.  This  will  induce  gentlemen  and 

men 


220  GENERAL   WASHINGTON'S 

men  of  character  to  engage  :  and,  till  the  bulk  of  your  officers 
are  compofed  of  fuch  perfons  as  are  actuated  by  principles  of 
lionoi  and  a  fpirit  of  enterprife,  you  have  little  to  expect  from 
them.  They  ought  to  have  fuch  allowances  as  will  enable 
them  to  live  like  and  fupport  the  character  of  gentlemen. 
*  *  '•&  Beiides  fomething  is  due  to  a  man  who  puts  his  life  in 
[your}  hands,  hazards  his  health,  and  forfakes  the  iweets  of  do-, 
meitic  enjoyment. — Why  a  captain  in  the  continental  fervice 
fliould  receive  no  more  than  five  (hillings  currency  per  day  for 
performing  the  fame  duties  that  an  officer  of  t]ie  fame  rank  in 
the  Britifh  fervice  receives  ten  (hillings  fterling  for,  I  never 
could  conceive,  efpecially  when  the  latter  is  provided  with  eve- 
ry neceflfary  he  requires  upon  the  belt  terms,  and  the  former 
can  fcarce  procure  them  at  any  rate.  There  is  nothing  that 
gives  a  man  confequence  and  renders  him  fit  for  command,  like, 
a  fupport  that  renders  him  independent  of  every  body  but  the 
itate  he  ferves. 

With  refpect  to  the  men,  nothing  but  a  good  bounty  can  ob- 
tain them  upon  a  permanent  eftablilhment  :  and  for  no  fnortcr 
time  than  the  continuance  of  the  war,  ought  they  to  be  engag- 
ed 5  as  facts  inconteftably  prove  that  the  difficulty  and  colt  of 
enliflments  increase  with  time. — -When  the  army  was  firft  raifed 
at  Cambridge,  I  am  perfuaded  the  men  might  have  been  got, 
•without  a  bounty  for  the  war.  After  thisj  they  began  to  fee 
that  the  conteft  was  not  likely  to  end  fo  fpeedily  as  was  imagin- 
ed, and  to  feel  their  confequence  by  remarking,  that,  to  get  in 
the  militia  in  the  courfe  of  the  la  it  year,  many  towns  were  indu- 
ced to  give  them  a  bounty* 

Foreieeing  the  evils  refulting  from  this,  and  the  deftructive 
confequences  which  unavoidably  would  follow  (hort  enliitments,, 
I  took  the  liberty  in  a  long  letter  (date  not  now  recollected,  as 
my  letter-book  is  not  here)  to  recommend  the  eniiitments  for 
and  during  the  war,  ailigning  (uch  reafons  for  it  as  e.xpeiience 
has  fince  convined  me  were  well  founded.  At  that  time,  twen- 
ty dollars  would,  I  am  perfuaded,  have  engaged  the  men  fov 
this  term.  But  it  would  not  do  to  look  back  :  and,  if  the  pie-* 
fent  opportunity  is  (lipped,  I  am  periuaded  .that  twelve  months 
more  will  increafe  our  difficulties  four-fold.  I  (hall  therefore 
take  the  freedom  of  giving  it  as  my  opinion,  that  a  good  boun- 
ty be  immediately  offered,  aided  by  the  proffer  of  at  lealt  a 
hundred  or  a  hundred  and  fifty  acres  of  land,  and  a  fuit  of  clothes 
and.  blanket  to  each  non-commiiiioned  officer  and  foidier  '->  as  I 
have  good  authority  for  faying,  that,  hov/ever  high  the  men's  pay 
may.  ??rpsar,  it  is  lurely  iuii'lcieiit,  in  the  preient  fcarcity  and 

dearnefs 


O  F  PI  C  I  A  L     LT  T  E;R^S..  &zt 

dcarnefs  of  all  kinds  of  goods,  to  keep  them  in  clothes,    much 
Itfs  afford  fuppoit  to  their  families. 

If  this  encouragement  theu  is  given  to  the  men,  and  fuch  pay- 
allowed  the  officers  as  will  induce  gentlemen  of  character  and 
liberal  fentiments  to  engage,  and  proper  care  and  precaution 
ufed  in  the  nomination  (having  more  regard  to  the  characters 
of  perfons  than  the  number  of  men  they  can  enlift),  we  mould 
in  %  little  time  have  an  army  able  to  cope  with  any  that  can  be 
cppofed  to  itf  as  there  are  excellent  materials  to  form  one  out 
of.  But  while  the  only  merit  an  officer  poiTeffes  is  his  ability 
to  raife  men, — while  thofe  men  conlider  and  treat  kirn  as  an  e- 
qual,  (and  in  the  character  of  an  officer)  regard  him  no  more  than 
a  broom-ftick,  being  mixed  together  as  on  common  herd,— no  or- 
der nor  discipline  can  prevail  j  nor  will  the  officer  ever  meet  with, 
that  refpect  which  is  effentially  neceffary  to  due  fubordination., 

To  place  any  dependence  upon  militia  is  affuredly  retting  up- 
on a  broken  ftarF, — -men  juft  dragged  from  the  tender  fcenes  of 
domeftic  life,— unaocuftoraed  to  the  din  of  arms, — totally  un- 
acquainted with  every  kind  of  military  {kill  j  which  being  fol- 
lowed by  a  want  of  confidence  in  themfelves,  when  oppoled  to 
troops  regularly  trained,  difciplined,  and  appointed,  fuperior  in, 
knowledge  and  fuperior  in  arms,  makes  them  timid  and  ready- 
to  fiy  from  their  own  fhadows.  Betides,  the  fudden  change  in 
their  manner  of  living  (particularly  in  the  lodging)  brings  on 
fjcknefs  in  many,  impatience  in  all,  and  fuch  an  unconquerable 
deiire  of  returning  to  their  refcective  homes,  that  it  not  only 
produces  fhameful  and  fcandalous  defertions  among  themfelves, 
but  infufes  the  like  fpirit  into  others. 

Again,  men  accuflomed  to  unbounded  freedom  and  no  con. 
trol,  cannot  brook  the  reflraint  which  is  indifpenfably  nec.eflarv 
to  the  good  order  and  government  of  an  army  j  -without  which, 
licentioufnefs  and  every  kind  of  diforder  triumphantly  reign,-—. 
To  bring  men  to  a  proper  degree  of  fubordination  is  not  the 
v/ork  of  a  day,  a  month,  or  even  a  year  :  and,  unhappily  for  u* 
aad  the  caufe  we  are  engaged  in,  the  little  difcipline  I  have 
been  laboring  to  cllablifh  in  the  army  under  my  immediate  com- 
mand is  in  a  manner  done  away  by  having  fach  a  mixture  of 
troops  as  have  been  called  together  within  thefe  fexv  months.  . 

Relaxed  and  unfit  as  our  rules  and  regulations  of  war  sre  for 
the  government  of  an  army,  the  militia  (thofe  properly  fo  cal- 
led -,  for  of  thefe  we  have  two  forts,  the  fix-months-men  and 
thofe  fent  in  as  a  temporary  aid)  do  not  think  themfelves  fub- 
jeer  to  them,  and  therefore  take  liberties  which  the  foldier  is- 
puniflied  -for.  This  creates  j.caloufy  :  jealoufy  begets  diiiatis* 

fa  en  on  ', 


222  GENERAL  WASHINGTON'* 

faction  ;  and  thefe  by  degrees  ripen  into  mutiny,  keeping  th6 
whole  army  in  a  confufed  and  disordered  ftate, — rendering  the 
time  of  thofe  who  wifh  to  fee  regularity  and  good  order  prevail. 
more  unhappy  than  words  can  defcribe.  Eefides  this,  fuch  re- 
peated changes  take  place,  that  all  arrangement  is  fet  at  nought, 
and  the  conftant  flu6luation  of  things  deranges  every  plan  as  fait 
as  adopted. 

Thefe,  fir,  Ccngrefs  may  be  affured,  are  but  a  fmall  part  of 
the  inconveniences  which  might  be  enumerated,  and  attributed 
to  militia  :  but  there  is  one  that  merits  particular  attention,  and 
that  is  the  expenfe.  Certain  I  am,  that  it  would  be  cheaper  to 
keep  fifty  or  a  hundred  thoufand  in  conftant  pay,  than  to  de- 
pend upon  half  the  number  and  fupply  the  other  half  occafion- 
ally  by  militia.  The  time  the  latter  are  in  pay  before  and  after 
they  are  in  camp,  aflembling  and  marching. — The  wafte  of  am- 
munition, the  confumption  of  ftores,  which  in  fpite  of  every  re- 
fblution  or  requifition  of  Congrefs,  they  muit  be  furniihed  with, 
or  fent  home, — added  to  other  incidental  expenfes  confequent 
upon  their  coming  and  conduct  in  camp, — iurpalTes  all  idea,  and 
deftroys  every  kind  of  regularity  and  economy  which  you 
could  eftablifh  among  fixed  and  fettled  troops,  and  will,  in 
ray  opinion  prove  (if  the  fcheme  is  adhered  to)  the  ruin  of  our 
caufe. 

The  jealoufies  of  a  Handing  army,  and  the  evils  to  be  appre-. 
hended  from  one,  are  remote,  arid,  in  my  judgment,  lituated 
and  circumitanced  as  we  are,  not  at  all  to  be  dreaded  :  but  the 
confequcnce  of  wanting  one,  according  to  my  ideas  formed  from 
the  prefent  view  of  things,  is  certain  and  inevitable  ruin.  For, 
if  1  was  called  upon  to  declare  upon  oath,  whether  the  militia 
have  been  molt  feiviceable  or  hurtful  upon  the  whole,  I  mould 
fubfcribe  to  the  latter.  I  do  not  mean  by  this,  however,  to 
arraign  the  condu6l  of  Congrefs  :  in  fo  doing  I  (hall  equally 
condemn  rny  own  meafures,  if  I  did  not  my  judgment  :  but  ex- 
perience, which  is  the  be  ft  criterion  to  work  by,  fo  fully,  clear- 
ly and  decisively  reprobates  the  practice  of  triifting  to  militia, 
that  no  man  who  regards  order,  regularity  and  economy,  or  who 
kas  any  regard  for  his  own  honor,  character,  or  peace  of  mind, 
v;iil  riik  them  upon  this  ifiue,  *  * 

An  army  formed  of  good  officers  moves  like  clock-work;  but 
there  is  no  fituation  upon  earth  lefs  enviable  nor  more  diitrefF- 
ing  than  that  perfon'*s  who  is  at  the  head  of  troops  who  are 
regardlefs  of  order  and  difcipline,  and  who  are  unprovided  with 
almoft  every  neceffaiy.  In  a  word  the  difficulties  which  have 
for  ever  furrounded  me  lines  I  have  been  in  the  frrvice,  and 

kep; 


OFFICIAL     LETTERS,  fcfe) 

kept  my  mind  conftantly  upon  the  ft  retch,  —  the  wounds  which 
my  feelings  (as  an  officer)  have  received  by  a  thoufand  things 
which  have  happened  contrary  to  my  expectation  and  wifhes,, 
*  *.  *  —  added  to  a  confcioufnefs  of  my  inability  to  govern  an. 
army  compofed  of  fuch  difcordant  parts,  and  under  fuch  a  vari- 
ety of  intricate  and  perplexing  circumftances,  —  induce  not  only 
a  belief,  but  a  thorough  conviction  in  my  mind,  that  it  will  be 
impoflible  (unlefs  there  is  a  thorough  change  in  our  military 
fyftem)  for  me  to  conduct  matters  in  fuch  a  manner  as  to  give 
fatisfadion  to  the  public,  which  is  all  the  recompenfe  I  aim  at, 
or  even  wifhed  for. 

Before  I  conclude,  I  muft  apologife  for  the  liberties  taken 
in  this  letter,  and  for  the  blots  and  fcratchings  therein,  not 
having  time  to  give  it  more  correctly.  —  With  truth  I  can  add, 
that,  with  every  fentiment  of  refpedt  and  eftcem,  I  am  yours 
and  the  Congrefs's  mod  obedient,  &c.  G.  W. 


Hacrlem  Heights,  September  2$,   1776* 
tw*     <•.<>          •  y-->--         ••»   f,  ;;;'"  _;,  ",•/ 

SIR, 

HAVING  wrote  you  fully  on  fundry  important  fubjects 
this  morning,  as  you  will  perceive  by  the  letter  which  accom- 
panies this,  I  mean  principally  now  to  inclofe  a  copy  of  a  letter 
received  from  general  Howe  on  funday  morning,  with  the  lifts 
of  the  prifoners  in  his  hands,—  —of  thofe  in  our  poffeffion  belong- 
ing to  the  army  immediately  under  his  command,  —  and  of  my 
anfwer,  which  were  omitted  to  be  put  in  the  other.  His  letter 
will  difcover  to  Congrefs  his  refufal  to  exchange  lord  Stirlirrg 
for  Mr.  M*Donald,  confidering  the  latter  only  as  a  major. 
They  will  pleafe  to  determine  how  he  is  to  be  ranked  in  fix- 
ture. 

The  number  of  prifoners  according  to  thefe  returns  is  great- 
er than  what  we  expected.  However,  I  am  inclined  to  believe, 
that,  among  thofe  in  the  lift  from  Long-Ifland,  are  feveral  mi-" 
litia  of  general  WoodhulPs  party,  who  were  never  arranged  in 
this  army.  —  As  to  thofe  taken  on  the  fifteenth,  they  greatly 
exceed  the  number  that  I  fuppofed  fell  into  their  hands  in  the 
retreat  from  the  city.  At  the  time  that  I  tranfmitted  an  ac- 
count of  that  affair,  I  had  not  obtained  returns,  and  took  tht 
matter  upon  the  officers'  reports.  They  are  difficult  to  get 
with  certainty  at  any  time.  —  In  the  flurmiih  of  monday  fe'n* 
night,  they  could  have  taken  but  very  few, 

Before 


£24  GENERAL  WASHINGTON'S 

Before  I  conclude,  I  (hall  take  occafion  to  mention  that  thofe 
returns  made  with  fuch  precifibn,  and  the  difficulty  that  will 
attend  the  propofed  exchange  on  account  of  the  difperfed  and 
fcattered  ftate  of  the  prifoners  in  our  hands,  will  clearly  evince 
the  neceffity  of  appointing  commiiTanes  and  proper  perfons  to 
iuperintend  and  conduct  in  fuch  ir.itances.  This  I  took  the 
liberty  'of  urging  more  than  once,  as  well  on  account  of  the 
propriety  of  the  meafure  and  the  faring  that  would  have  refult- 
ed  from  it,  as  that  the  prifoners  might  be  treated  with  humani- 
ty, and  have  their  wants  psrticularly  attended  to. 

J  would  alfo  obferve,  (as  I  eileem  it  my  duty)  that  this  ar- 
my is  in  want  of  almoft  every  neceffary, — tenvs,  camp  kettles, 
blankets,  and  clothes  of  all  kinds.  But  what  is  to  he  done 
with  refpecl  to  the  two  latl  articles,  I  know  not,  as  the  term, 
of  enliftment  will  be  nearly  expired  by  the  time  they  can  be 
provided.  This  may  be  ezhibited  as  a  further  proof  of  the 
difad vantages  attending  the  levying  of  an  army  upon  fuch  a 
footing  as  never  to  know  how  to  keep  them  without  injuring 
the  public  or  incommoding  the  men.; — I  have  directed  the  co- 
lonel or  commanding  ofticer  of  each  corps  to  ufe  his  endeavors 
to  procure  fuch  clothing  as  is  abfolutely  neceffary  :  but  at  the 
fame  time  I  confefsj  that  I  do  not  know  how  they  are  to  be 
got. — I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c.  G.  W. 


Head-quarters,  Heights  of  Haerlcm,  September  27,   1776. 

SIR, 

I  HAVE  nothing  in  particular  to  communicate  to  Con- 
grefs  by  this  day^s  poll,  as  our  fltuation  is  the  Tame  as  when  I 
laft  wrote. 

We  are  now  fitting  upon  the  buiinefs  the  committee  came 
upon,  which,  it  is  probable,  will  be  finiihed  this  evening.  The 
refult  they  will  duly  report  upon  their  return. 

I  received  ycfterday  the  inclofed  declaration  by  a  gentleman 
from  Elizabeth-town,  who  told  me  many  copies  were  found  in 
the  poffeffion  of  the  foldiers  from  Canada,  that  were  landed 
there  a  day  or  two  ago  by  general  Howe's  permiilion.  I  mall 
not  comment  upon  it.  It  feems  to  be  founded  on  the  plan  that 
has  been  artfully  purfued  for  feme  time  pail. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c.  G.  \V. 

P.  S.  The  account  of  the  troops.  Sic.  in  Cariada,  comes 
from  a  perfon  who  is  among-  the  prifoners  fent  from  Canada. 

Is 


FtllAL     LETTERS^ 

:.|t  was  anonymous,  nor  do  I  know  the  intelligencer.  Accord- 
ing to  him,  the  enemy  in  that  quarter  are  Wronger  than  we 
fuppofed,  and  their  naval  force  much  greater  on  the  lakes  than, 
we  had  any  idea  ofl  I  trull  he  has  takeri  tile  matter  up  on  the 
enemy's  reportl 


Heights  of  Haerlem,  September  i8$  1776* 

SIR, 

BEING  about  to  crofs  the  North-river  this  morning  iri 
order  to  view  the  poft  oppofite,  and  the  grounds  between  that 
and  PaulUs  Hook,  I  mail  not  add  much  more  than  that  I  have 
been  honored  with  your  favor  of  the  twenty-fourth  and  its  fe- 
verai  inclofures  j  arid  that,  firice  iriy  letter  of  f  eiterdajf,  no  im- 
portant event  has  taken  place. 

As  colonel  Hugh  Stephenfori,  of  the  rifle  regiment  ordered 
lately  to  be  raifed,  is  dead  according  to  the  information  I  have 
received,  I  would  beg  leave  to  recommend  to  the  particular 
notice  of  CongreFs  captain  Daniel  Morgan  juft  returned  among 
the  prifoners  from  Canada,  as  a  fit  and  proper  perlbri  to  fuc- 
ceed  to  the  vacancy  occasioned  by  his  death.  The  prefent 
field-officers  of  the  regiment  cannot  claim  any  right  in  prefer- 
ence to  hini,  becaufe  he  ranked  above  them,  2nd  as  a  captain^ 
when  he  firft  entered  the  fervice.  His  conduct  as  an  officer^ 
on  the  expedition  with  general  Arnold  laft  fall, — his  intrepid 
behavior  in  the  affault  upon  Quebec,  when  the  brave  Montgo- 
mery fell,— -the  inflexible  attachment  he  prdfeffed  t6  our  caufe 
during  his  impriConnienr,  and  which  he  perfeveres  in, — -added 
to  thefe,  his  refldence  in  the  place  colonel  Stephenfon  came 
froni,  and  his  intereft  and  influence  in  the  fame  circle,  and  with 
filch  men  as  are  to  compofe  fuch  a  regiment,— -all,  in  my  opi- 
nion, entitle  him  to  the  favor  of  Congrefs,  and  lead  me  to  be- 
lieve that  in  his  promotion  the  ftates  will  gain  a  good  and  va- 
luable officer  for  the  fort  of  troops  he  is  particularly  recom- 
mended to  command. 
*  *  *~I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c.  G.  VVi 


J    f 


226  GENERAL  WASHINGTON'S 

Head-barters,  Heights  of  Haerlctn  September  30,   1776, 

KIR, 

SINCE  I  had  the  honor  of  addreffing  you  laft,  nothing  of 
Importance  has  tranfpired  j  though,  from  fome  movements  yef- 
terday  on  the  part  of  the  enemy,  it  would  fecm  as  if  fomething 
TI  as  intended. 

The  inclofed  memorial,  from  lieutenant-colonel  Shephard 
of  the  fourtli  regiment,  I  beg  leave  to  fubmit  to  the  coniidera- 
tioii  of  Congrefs,  and  fhall  only  add,  that  I  could  wifti  they 
would  promote  him  to  the  command  of  the  regiment  and  fend 
him  a  commiffion,  being  a  good  and  valuable  officer,  and  efpe- 
.  cially  as  the  vacancy  is  of  a  pretty  long  ftanding,  and  I  have 
not  had  (nor  has  he)  any  intelligence  from  colonel  Learned 
himfelf  (who  had  the  command,  and  who  obtained  a  difcharge 
on  account  of  his  indifpofition),  of  his  defign  to  return. — I 
have  alfo  inclofed  a  letter  from  captain  Ballard,  which  Con- 
grefs will  pleafe  to  determine  on,  the  fubjecl  being  new  and 
.bet  within  my  authority. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c.  G.  W. 

P.  S.  A  commiffion  was  fent  for  colonel  Learned,  which  is 
now  in  my  hands,  having  received  no  application,  or  heard  from 
"him  fine e  it  came. 


SIR,  Head-quarters^  Haerlem  Heights,  08.  2,  1776. 

I  DO  myfelf  the  honor  of  tranfmitting  to  you  the  inclo- 
jfed  letter  from. lieutenant-colonel  Livingfton,  with  fundry  co- 
pies of  general  Delancey's  orders,  which  difcover  the  mea- 
fures  the  enemy  are  purfuing  on  Long-Ifland  for  railing  recruits 
and  obtaining  fupplies  of  provifions1.  In  confequence  of  the  in- 
telligence they  contain,  and  authentic  advices  through  other 
channels  refpecling  thefe  matters,  I  have  fent  brigadier  general 
George  Clinton  to  meet  general  Lincoln  who  has  got  as  far  as 
Fairfield  with  part  of  the  troops  lately  ordered  by  the  Maffachu- 
fetts  affembly,  to  concert  with  him  and  others  an  expedition 
acrofs  the  Sound  with  thofe  troops,  three  companies  under  colo- 
nel Livingfton,  and  fuch  further  aid  as  governor  Trumbull  can 
afford,  in  order  to  prevent  if  poflible  their  effecting  thofe  impor- 
tant objects,  and  to  aflift  the  inhabitants  in  the  removal  of  their 
ftock,  grain,  &c.  or  in  deflroying  them,  that  the  enemy  may  not 
derive  any  anvantage  or  benefit  from  them. 

The 


O  F -F  I  C  I  A  L    L  E  T  T  E  R  S.  ^ 

The  recruiting  fcheme  they  are  profecuting  with  uncommon 
indiiftry;  nor  is  it  confined  to  Long  Ifland  alone.  Having  juft 
now  received  a  letter  from  the  committee  of  Weft-Chefter-coun* 
ty,  advifing  that  there  are  feveral  companies  of  men  in  that  and 
Dutchefs-county  preparing  to  go  off  and  join  the  king's  armyj 
1  have  given  directions  to  our  guard-boats  and  the  centuries  at 
our  works  at  Mount-Wafhington  to  keep  a  ftticl  look-out  in  cafe 
they  attempt  to  come  down  the  North-river  ;  alfo  to  general 
Heath  at  Kingfbridge,  that  the  utmoft  vigilance  may  be  obfer-* 
ved  by  the  regiments  and  troops  flationed  above  there  and  down 
towards,  the  Eaft-river,  that  they  may  intercept  them,  (hould 
they  take  that  rout  with  a  view  of  eroding  to  Long-Ifland. — I 
will  ufe  every  precaution  in  my  power  to  prevent  thofe  parricides 
from  accompliihing  their  deiigns  5  but  I  have  but  little  hopes  of 
fuccefs,  as  it  will  be  no  difficult  matter  for  them  to  procure  fc 
pafiage  over  fome  part  or  other  of  the  Sound. 

I  have  been  applied  to  lately  by  colonel  Weedon  of  Virginia, 
for  permiffion  to  recruit  the  deficiency  of  men  in  his  regiment 
out  of  the  troops  compofing  the  flying  camp, — informing  me  at 
the  fame  time  that  fome  of  thofe  from  Maryland  had  offered  to 
engage.  Colonel  Hand  of  the  rifle  batallion  made  a  fimilar  ap- 
plication to-day,  If  the  enliftments  could  be  made,  they  would 
have  this  good  confequence, — the  fecuring  of  fo  many  in  the 
fervice.  However,  as  the  meafure  might  occafion  fome  uneafi- 
nefs  in  their  own  corps,  and  be  confidered  as  a  hardmip  by  the 
ftates  to  which  they  belong,  and  the  means  of  their  furnifhing 
more  than  the  quota  exacted  from  them  in  the  general  arrange- 
ment, and  would  make  it  more  difficult  for  them  to  complete 
their  own  levies,  1  did  not  conceive  myfelf  at  .liberty  to  autho- 
rife  it  without  fubmitting  the  propriety  of  it  to  the  coniidera- 
tion  of  Congrefs,  and  obtaining  their  opinion  whether  it  {hould 
be  allowed  or  not. 

I  have  inclofed  a  lift  of  warrants  granted  from  the  feeond  to 
the  thirteenth  ultimo  inclufiye,  the  only  return  of  the  fort  that 
I  have  been  able  to  make  fince  the  refolution  for  that  purpofe, 
— <-owing  to  the  unfettlecj.  ftate  of  our  affairs,  and  my  haying 
fent  my  papers  away. — You  will  alfo  receive  fundry  letters, 
&c.  from  general  Schuyler,  which  came  under  cover  to  me, 
and  which  1  have  the  honor  of  forwarding. 

By  a  letter  juft  received  from  the  committee  of  fafety  of 
the  ftate  of  New-Hamplhire,  I  find  a  thoufand  of  their  militia 
were  about  to  march  on  the  twenty -fourth  ultimo  to  reinforce 
this  army  in  confequence  of  the  requifition  of  Congrefs.  Pre- 
vious to  their  march,  general  Ward  ymtes  me  he  WHS  obliged 

* 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON^ 

$0  furnifli  them  with  five  hundred  pounds  of  powder,  and  a 
thoufand  pounds  of  mufket-ball  5  and  I  have  little  reafon  to  ex- 
peft  that  they  are  better  provided  with  other  articles  than 
they  were  with  ammunition.  In  fuch  cafe  they  will  only  ad4 
to  our  prefent  diftrefs,  which  13  already  far  too  great,  and  be- 
come difgufted  with  the  fervice,  though  the  time  they  are  en- 
gaged for  is  only  till  the  firil  of  December.— 7'his  will  injure 
their  enlifting  for  a  longer  term  if  not  wholly  prevent  if. 

By  three  deferters  who  came  from  the  Galatea  man-of-war 
about  five  days  ago,  we  are  informed  that  feyeral  tfanfports 
}iad  failed,  before  they  left  her,  from  England,  as  it  was  gene- 
tally  reported,  in  order  to  return  with  a  fupply  cf  provifions, 
of  which  they  fay  there  is  a  want. — General  Mercer,  in  a  let- 
ter, informed  me  that  general  Thompfon  faid  he  had  heard  they 
•«  ere  going  to  difrnifs  about  a  hundred  of  the  mips  from  the 
fervice. — I  am  alfo  advifed  by  a  ktter  from  Mr.  Derby  at  Bof- 
ton,  of  the  twerity-fixth  ultimo,  that,  the  day  before,  a  tranf- 
port  fno\v  had  been  taken  and  fent  into  Pifcatawa  by  a  pri- 
vateer, in  her  pailage  from  New-York  to  the  Weft-Indies.  She 
failed  with  five  more  under  the  convoy  of  a  man-of-war  in  or- 
der to  bring  from  thence  the  troops  that  are  there,  to  join  ge- 
tferal  Howe.— -They  were  all  victualled  for  four  months. — • 
Irrom  this  intelligence  it  would  feem  as  if  they  'die!  net  appre- 
hend any  thing  to  be  meditated  againft  th,em  by  the  court  of 
France, 

O&ober  3. 1  jiave  nothing  in  particular  to  communicate 

Tefpeciing  our  fituation,  it  being  much  the  fame  as  when  I 
wrote  lart. —  We  had  an  alarm  this  morning  a  little  before  four 
o'clock,  from  fome  of  our  out-centries,  who  reported  that  a 
large  body  of  the  enemy  was  advancing  towards  our  lines. — • 
This  put  us  in  motion  :  however,  it  turned  out  entirely  prema- 
ture ;  or  at'leaft  we  faw  nothing  of  them, 

1  have  the  honor  to  be,  ckc.  G.  W. 


SIR,  Haer/e?K,  Qflober  4,   1776, 

BEFORE  I  knew  of  the  late  refolutions  of  Congrefs 
which  you  did  me  the  honor  to  inclofe  in  your  letter  c-f  the 
twenty --fourth,  and  before  i  was  favored  with  the  vifit  cf  your 
committee,  I  took  the  liberty  of  giving  you  icy  fentirnents  on 
ieveral  points  which  feerned  to  be  of  importance. — I  have  no 
doubt  but  that  the  committee  will  make  fuch  report  of  the  Hate 
and  ceodition  of  the  army,  as  will  induce  Congrtfs  to  believe 

thai 


OFFICIAL    LETTERS.  325 

that  nothing  but  the  molt  vigorous  exertions  can  put  matters 
upon  fuch  a  footing  as  to  give  this  continent  a  fair  profpecl  of 
fuccefs.  Give  me  leaye  to  lay,  fir, — I  fay  it  with  due  defer- 
ence and  refped  (and  my  knowledge  pf  the  fails,  added  to  the 
importance  of  the  caufe,  and  the  flake  I  hold  in  it,  mutt  jufti- 
fy  the  freedom, — that  your  affairs  are  in  a  more  uapromiling 
way  than  you  feem  to  apprehend. 

Your  army,  as  I  mentioned  in  my  laft,  is  en  the  eye  of  its 
political  diColutipn.  True  it  is,  you  have  voted  a  larger  one; 
in  lieu  of  it  :  but  the  feaibn  is  late  j  and  there  is  a  material  dif- 
ference between  voting  of  battalions  and  railing  of  men.  in 
the  latter  there  are  more  difficulties  than  Congrefs  are  aware 
of  j  which  makes  it  my  duty  (as  I  have  been  informed  of  the 
prevailing  fentiments  of  this  army)  to  inform  them,  that,unlefs 
the  pay  of  the  officers,  efpecially  that  of  the  field  officers,  is 
raifed,  the  chief  part  of  thofe  that  are  worth  retaining  will 
leave  the  fervice  at  the  expiration  of  the  prefent  term,  as  the 
ioldiers  will  alfo,  if  fome  greater  encouragement  is  not  offered 
them  than  twenty  dollars  and  ft  hundred  acres  of  land. 

Nothing  lefs,  in  my  opinion,  than  a  luit  of  clothes  annually 
given  to  each  non-commiiiioned  officer  and  foldier,  in  addition 
to  the  pay  and  bounty,  will  avail ;  and  I  queftion  whether  that 
will  do,  as  the  enemy  (from  the  information  of  one  John  Maih, 
who,  with  fix  others,  was  taken  by  our  guards)  are  giving  ten 
pounds  bounty  for  recruits,  and  have  got  a  battalion  under  ma- 
jor Rogers  nearly  cpmpleted  upon  Long-lfland. 

Nor  will  lefs  pay,  according  to  my  judgment,  than  I  have 
taken  the  liberty  of  mentioning  in  the  inclofed  eilimate,  retain 
fuch  officers  as  we  could  wiih  to  have  continued.  The  differ- 
ence per  month  in  each  battalion  will  amount  to  better  than  * 
hundred  pounds.  To  this  may  be  added  the  pay  of  the  itaff- 
officers  j  for  it  is  preiuma'ole  they  will  not  require  an  augment- 
ation :  but,  being  few  in  number,  the  fum  will  not  be  greatly 
increafed  by  them,  and  confequently  is  a  matter  of  no  great 
moment  :  but  it  is  a  matter  of  no  fmall  importance  to  make  the, 
ieveral  officers  defirable.  When  the  pay  and  ertabiilhment  of 
an  officer  once  become  objects  pf  interefted  attention,  the  lloth, 
negligence,  and  even  difobedience  of  orders,  which  at  this  time 
but  too  generally  prevail,  will  be  purged  off.^  But  while  the 
fervice  is  viewed  with  indifference, — while  the  officer  conceives 
that  he  is  rather  conferring  than  receiving  an  obligation, — 
there  will  be  a  total  relaxation  of  all  order  and  discipline, 
and  every  thing  will  move  heavily  on,  to  the  great  detriment 

pf 


230  GENERAL  WASHINGTON'S 

of  the  fervice,  and  inexprefiible  trouble  and  vexation  of  thfe 
general. 

The  critical  littiation  of  our  affairs  at  this  time  will  juftify 
my  faying  that  no  time  is  to  be  loft  in  making  of  ftuitlefs  ex- 
periments. An  unavailing  trial  of  a  month  to  get  an  army 
upon  the  terms  propofed  may  render  it  impracticable  to  do  it. 
at  all,  and  prove  fatal  to  our  caufe  ;  as  I  am  not  fure  whether 
any  rubs  in  the  way  of  our  .enliftments,  or  unfavorable  turn  in 
our  affairs,  may  not  prove  the  means  of  the  enemy  recruiting 
men  falter  than  we  do.  To  this  may  be  added  the  inextrica- 
ble difficulty  of  forming  one  corps  out  of  another,  and  arrang- 
ing matters  with  any  degree  of  order,  in  the  face  of  an  enemy 
who  are  watching  for  advantages. 

At  Cambridge,  lad  year,  where  the  officers,  (and  more  than 
a  fufficieacy  of  them)  were  all  upon  the  fpot,  we  found  it  a 
work  of  fuch  extreme  difficulty  to  know  their  fentiments  (each 
having  fome  terms  to  propofe),  that  I  defpahed  once  of  getting 
the  arrangements  completed  :  and  I  do  fuppofe,  that  at  leaft  a 
hundred  alterations  took  place  before  matters  wer<j  finally  ad- 
jufted.  What  muft  it  be  then  under  the  prelent  regulation, 
where  the  officer  is  to  negotiate  this  matter  with  the  {late  he 
comes  from,  diitant  perhaps,  two  or  three  hundred  miles  ? — 
fome  of  whom,  without  leave  or  licence  from  me,  fet  out  to 
make  perfonal  application,  the  moment  the  refolve  got  to  their 
hands.  What  kind  of  officers  thefe  are,  I  leave  Congrefs  to 
judge. 

If  an  officer  of  reputation  (for  none  other  mould  be  applied 
to)  is  alked  to  flay,  what  anfwer  can  he  give,  but  in  the  firft 
place,  that  he  does  not  know  whether  it  is  at  his  option  to  do 
io,  no  proviiion  being  made  in  the  refolution  of  Congrefs,  even 
recommendatory  of  this  meafure  ;  confequently,  that  it  refts 
with  the  Mate  he  comes  from  (furrounded  perhaps  with  a  vari- 
ety of  applications,  and  influenced  probably  by  local  attach- 
ments) to  determine  whether  he  can  be  provided  for  or  not  ? 
in  the  next  place,  if  lie  is  an  officer  of  merit,  and  knows  that 
the  Hate  he  comes  from  is  to  furnifh  more  battalions  than  it  at 
prefent  has  in  the  fervice,  he  will  icarcely,  after  two  years' 
faithful  fervices,  think  of  continuing  in  the  rank  he  now  bears, 
when  new  creations  are  to  be  made,  and  men  appointed  to  offi- 
ces (no  wife  fuperior  in  msrit,  and  ignorant  perhaps,  of  fervice) 
over  his  head.  A  committee,  lent  to  the  army  from  each 
ilate,  may  upon  the  fpot  fix  things  with  a  degree  of  propriety 
and  certainty,  and  is  the  only  method  I  can  fee  of  bringing 
matters  to  a  deciiion  willi  refueCt  to  the  officers  of  the  army. 

But 


OFFICIAL    LETTERS.  i3i 

But  what  can  be  done  in  the  mean  while  towards  the  arrang- 
ment  in  the  country,  I  know  not.  In  the  one  cafe  you.  run  the 
hazard  of  lofing  your  officers  ;  in  the  other,  of  encountering 
delay,  unlefs  fome  method  could  be  devifed  of  forwarding  both 
at  the  fame  i  aft  ant. 

Upon  the  prefent  plan,  I  plainly  forefee  an  intervention  of 
time  between  the  old  and  new  army,  which  muft  be  rilled  up 
with  militia  (if  to  be  had),  \vith  whom  rio  man  who  has  any 
regard  for  his  own  reputation  can  undertake  to  be  anfwerable 
for  confequences.  I  {hall  alfo  be  miftaken  in  my  conjectures, 
if  we  do  not  lofe  the  moft  valuable  officers  in  this  army,  under 
the  prefent  mode  of  appointing  them  :  confequently,  if  we  have 
an  army  at  all,  it  will  be  compofed  of  materials  not  only  en- 
tirely raw,  but,  (if  uncommon  pains  are  not  takenj)  entirely 
unfit ;  and  I  fee  fuch  a  diftruft  and  jealoufy  of  military  power, 
that  the  commander-in-chief  has  not  an  opportunity,  even  by* 
recommendation,  to  give  the  leaft  affurances  of  reward  for  the 
moft  eifential  fervices.  In  a  word,  fuch  a  cloud  of  perplexing 
circumftances  appear  before  me,  without  one  flattering  hope, 
that  I  am  thoroughly  convinced,  unlefs  the  moft  vigorous  and 
decifive  exertions  are  immediately  adopted  to  remedy  thefe  e- 
vils,  that  die-certain  and  abfolute  lofs  of  our  liberties  will  be 
the  inevitable  confequence  5  as  one  unhappy  ftroke  will  throw 
a  powerful  weight  into  the  fcale  againft  us,  enabling  general 
Howe  to  recruit  his  army  as  fail  as  we  {hall  ours, — numbers  be- 
ing difpofed  [/o  join  him],  and  many  actually  doing  fo  already. 
Some  of  the  moft  probable  remedies,  and  fuch  as  .  experience 
has  brought  to  my  more  intimate  knowledge,  I  have  taken  the 
liberty  to  point  out :  the  reft  I  beg  leave  to  fubmit  to  the  con=- 
lidcration  of  Congrefs. 

I  a{k  pardon  for  taking  up  fo  much  of  their  time  with  my 
opinions.  But  I  mould  betray  that  trurt  which  they  and  my 
country  have  repofed  in  me,  were  I  to  be  lilent  upon  a  matter 
fo  extremely  interefting. 

With  the  moft  perfect  efteem,  I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c. 

G.   \V. 


SIR,  Head-quarter -sy  Haerlem  Heights,  Off:  5,  1776, 

I  WAS  laft  night  honored  with  your  favor  of  the  fecond, 
•with  fundry  refolutions  of  Congrefs.     *     *     * 

In  refpeft  to  the  exchange  oJF  prifoners,  I  fear  it  will  be  a 
ivork  of  great  difficulty,  owing  to  their  difperfed  anel  fcattered 

jfituaUoit 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON'S 

fituation  throughout  the  ftates.  In  order  to  effect  it,  T  have 
wrote  to  the  eaftern  governments  to  have  them  collected,  and 
to  tranfmit  me  an  account  of  their  number,  diftingui filing  the 
names  and  ranks  of  the  field  and  commifiioned  officers,  and  the 
fcorps  they  belong  to.  I  have  alfo  wrote  to  governor  Living - 
:3on  of  the  Jerfeys  Upon  the  fubjecl:,  and  miift  take  the  liberty 
of  requeuing  Con-jrefs  to  oive  directions  that  a  fimilar  return 
may  be  made  of  thofe  in  Pennfylvania  and  Maryland,  and  for 
their  being  brought  to  Brunfvvic,  that  they  may  be  ready  to  be 
exchanged  for  an  equal  number  of  thole  of  the  fame  rank. 

I  obierve,  by  the  refolve  of  the  twenty-fixth  tiltinio,  that 
the  exchange  is  particularly  directed  to  be  made  of  the  officers 
and  foldiers  taken  on  Long-Ifland.  But  mould  not  that  follow 
the  exchange  of  thofe  officers  and  men  who  have  lately  re- 
turned from  Quebec,  whofe  imprifonment  has  been  much  lon- 
ger, and  whofe  feivice  has  not  been  lefs  fevere,  and,  in  many 
inftances,  conducted  with  great  intrepidity  ?  I  Have  had  many 
applications  fince  their  arrival,  by  which  they  claim  a  kind  of 
preference  as  far  as  their  number  and  the  circiim fiances  ol* their 
rank  will  allow,  and  which  I  thought  it  my  duty  to  mention, 
that  t  may  obtain  forrie  dire£Hon  upon  the  fubjecl:. 

You  will  obferve  by  a  paragraph  of  a  letter  received  yefter- 
day  fiom  g-eneral  Howe,  a  copy  of  which  you  have  at  length, 
that  the  non-performance  of  the  agreement  between  captain 
Forfrer  snd  general  Arnold,  by  which  the  latter  ftipulated  for 
the  return  of  an  equal  number  of  officers  and  prifoners  in  cm- 
hands  for  thofe  delivered  him,  is  confidered  in  art  unfavorable 
light,  and  entirely  imputed  td  iriCj  as  having  the  chief  com- 
mand of  the  armies  of  the  flates,  and  a  controlling  power  over 
general  Arnold. — The  pointed  manner  in  which  Mr.  Howe  is 
^leafed  to  exprefs  himfelf  could  not  perfonally  affect  me,  fup- 
poling  there  had  been  no  good  grounds  for  the  treaty  riot  being 
ratified^  having  been  nothing  more  than  an  instrument  convey- 
ing to  him  the  refolutions  formed  upon  the  fubjecl:.  * 

However  I  would  beg  leave  to  obferve,  from  the  letters 
from  the  hoftages, — from  what  has  been  reported  by  others  re- 
fpecling  captain  Forfter's  having  ufed  his  endeavors  to  reflrain 
the  favages  from  exercifing  rheir  wonted  barbarities,  though  in 
iome  inilances  they  did, — his  purchasing  fome  of  the  prifoners 
for  a  pretty  considerable  premium, — but,  above  all,  from  the 
delicate  nature  of  fuch  treaties,  and  becaufe  the  non-obfervance 
of  them  muft  damp  the  fpiiits  of  the  officers  who  make  them, 
and  add  affiic~uon  to  the  misfortunes  of  thofe  whom  neceflity 
a&d  the  nature  of  the  caie  force  Into  captivity  to  give  them  a 

fancliori 


OFFICIAL    LETTE 


$33 


fnriction  by  "a  long  and  irkfome  confinement, — -for  thefe  feafons 
?nd  many  more  that  will  readily  occur,  I  eould  wiih  Congrefs 
to  reconilder  the  matter,  and  to  carry  it  into  execution* 

I  am  fenfible  the  wrong  was  originally  iri  their  employing  fa- 
vages,  and  that  whatever  cruelties  were  committed  by  them 
fhould  be  efteemed  their  own  a£ts  :  yet  perhaps,  in  point  of  po- 
licy, it  may  not  be  improper  to  overlook  thefe  infractions  on 
their  part,  and  to  purfue  that  mode  which  will  be  the  moft  like- 
ly to  render  the  hardfhips  incident  to  war  moil  tolerabld,  and 
the  greateft  benefits  to  the  ftate* 

I  have  ventured  to  fay  thus  much  upon  the  fubjecl:,  from  a 
regard  to  the  fervice,  and  beca.ufe  fuch  gentlemen  of  the  army 
as  I  have  heard  mention  it,  feem  to  wifti  the  treaty  had  been 
ratified  rather  than  difallowed. 

Inclofed  is  a  lift  of  vacancies  in  the  third  regiment  of  Virgi- 
nia troops,  in  part  oecafioned  by  the  death  of  major  Leitch 
who  died  of  his  wounds  on  tuefday  morning,  —  and  of  the  gen- 
tlemen who  ftand  next  in  regimental  order,  and  who  are  recom- 
mended to  fucceed  to  them. — You  will  obferve  that  captain 
John  Fitzgerald'is  faiu1.  to  be  appointed  to  the  duty  of  major. 
This  I  have  done  in  order,  being  the  oldeft  captain  in  the  re- 
giment, and,  I  believe,  an  officer  o£  unexceptionable  merit, 
and  as  it  was  highly  neceffary  at  this  time  to  have  the  corps  as 
well  and  fully  officered  as  poflible,  There  is  alfo  a  vacancy  in 
the  firft  continental  battalion,  by  the  promotion  of  lieutenant 
Clarke  to  a  majority  in  the  flying  camp,  to  which  colonel  Hand 
has  recommended  William  Patton  to  fucceed,  as  you  will  per- 
ceive by  his  letter  inclofed* 

I  have  taken  the  liberty  to  tranfmit  a  plan  for  eftablifhing  a 
corps  of  engineers,  artificers,  &c.  fketched  out  by  colonel 
Putnam,  and  which  is  propofed  for  the  confideration  of  Con- 
grefs. How  far  they  may  incline  to  adopt  it,  or  whether  they 
may  chufe  to  proceed  upon  fuch  an  extenfive  fcale,  they  will 
be  pleafed  to  determine.  However,  I  conceive  it  a  matter 
well  worthy  of  their  confideration,  being  convinced  from  ex- 
perience, and  from  the  reafons  fuggefted  by  colonel  Putnam 
who  has  a£ted  with  great  diligence  and  reputation  in  the  bufi- 
nefs,  that  fome  eftabliilmient  of  the  fort  is  highly  neceffary,  and 
will  be  productive  of  the  moft  beneficial  confequences. 

If  the  propontion.  is  approved  by  Congrefs,  I  am  informed  by 
good  authority  that  there  is  a  gentleman  in  Virginia,  in  the 
colony  fervice,  John  Stadler,  efquire,  a  native  of  Germany, 
•whofe  abilities  in  this  way  are  by  no  means  inconfiderable.  I 
am  told  he  was  an  engineer  in  the  army  under  general  Stanwix, 

Cr  g  and 


GENERAL  -WASHINGTON'S 

and  is  reputed  to  be  of  Ikill  and  inginuity  in  the  profeffion.  Ire. 
this  capacity  I  do  not  know  him  rnyfelf,  but  am  intimately  ac- 
quainted with  him  in  his  private  character,  as  a  man  of  under-' 
ftanding  and  of  good  behavior.  I  would  fubmit  his  merit  to 
the  inquiry  of  Congrefs  j  and  if  he  fhould  anfwer  the  report  I 
have  had  of  him,  I  make  no  doubt  but  he  will  be  fait  ably  pro- 
vided for. 

The  convention  of  this  ftate  have  lately  feized  and  had  ap- 
praifed  txvo  ntw  thins,  valued  at  fix  thbufand  two  hundred  and 
twenty- nine  pounds  York  currency,  which  they  have  lent  down 
for  the  purpofe  of  finking,  and  obflructing  the  channel  oppofite 
Mount- Washington.  The  price  being  high,  and  the  opinions 
various  as  to  the  neceffity  of  the  meafure,  fome  conceiving  the 
obflrU&ion  nearly  fultlcient  already,  and  others  that  they  would 
render  it  fecure,  I  would  wilh  to  have  the  direction  of  Con- 
grefs  upon  the  fubject  by  the  earlieft  opportunity,  thinking  my- 
felt,  that,  if  the  enemy  fhould  attempt  to  come  up,  they  mould 
be  ufeci,  fooner  than  to  hazard  their  palling. —  I  muVt  be  go- 
verned by  circumttances,  yet  hope  for  their  fentimcnts  before 
any  thing  is  necefTary  to  be  done. 

Sundry  difputes  having  arifen  of  late  between  officers  of  dif- 
ferent regiments  and  of  the  fame  rank,  respecting  the  right  of 
fucceflion  to  fach  vacancies  as  happen  from  death  or  other 
caufes, — -fome  fuggefting  that  it  fhould  be  in  a  colonial  line  and 
governed  by  the  priority  of  their  commiiTions, — others,  that  it 
fhould  be  regimentally, — and  there  being  an  inftanee  now  be- 
fore me,  between  the  officers  of  the  Virginia  regiments,  occa- 
lioned  by  the  death  of  major  Leitch, — it  has  become  abiblu-tely 
neceffary  that  Congrefs  fhould  determine  the  mode  by  which 
promotions  are  to  be  regulated, — whether  colonially  and  by 
priority  of  commiffions,  or  regimentally,  .referving  a  right  out 
of  the  general  rule  they  adopt,  to  reward  for  particular  merit> 
or  of  ivithholding  fiom  office  fuch  as  may  not  be  worthy  to 
fucceed. 

I  have  only  propofed  two  modes  for  their  confideration,  be- 
ing fatisfied  that  promotions  through  the  line  (as  they  ate  call- 
ed) can  never  take  place  without  producing  difcord,  jealoufy, 
rliftruit,  and  the  mofl  fatal  confequences.  In  fome  of  my  let- 
ters upon  the  fubjecl:  of  promotions,  and  one  which  I  had  the 
honor  of  addreffing  to  the  board  of  war  on  the  thirtieth  ultimo,, 
1  advifed  that  the  mode  mould  be  rather  praclifed  than  refolv- 
ed :  but  I  am  fully  convinced  now  of  the  necefiity  there  is  of 
fettling  it  in  one  of  the  two  ways  I  have  taken  the  liberty  to 
out,  and  under  the  refhi&ions  1  have  mentioned  j  or  the 

difputes- 


OFFICIAL  LETTERS.             i3y 

difputes  and   applications  Kill  be  endlefs,   and  attended  with 
great  inconveniences. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c.  G.  W. 


Head-quarters,  Heights  of  Haerlem,  October  7,    17/6* 

SIR, 

I  DO  myfelf  the  honor  of  tranfmitting  to  you  a  copy  of  a 
letter  from  the  comte  D'Emery,  governor-general  of  the  French 
0ftrt  of  Saint-Domingo,  which  I  received  yefterday,  and  alfo 
my  anfvver,  which  I  have  inclofed  and  left  open  for  the  conii- 
deration  of  Congrefs,  wifhing  that  it  may  be  fealed  if  they  ap- 
prove of  the  iieur  De  Chambeau's  releafement,  which  I  think 
may  be  attended  with  many  valuable  confequences.  If  Con- 
grtfs  concur  in  fentiment  \vith  me,  they  will  be  pleafed  to  give 
direction  for  his  paffage  by  the  firft  opportunity  to  the  French 
iflands  :  if  they  do  not,  I  (hall  be  obliged  by  your  returning' 
my  letter. 

I  have  alfo  the  pleafure  of  inclofing  a  copy  of  a  letter  from, 
monfieur  P.  Fennel,  which  came  to  hand  lait  night,  and  which 
contains  intelligence  of  an  agreeable  and  intereftinghatuie,  for 
which  I  beg  leave  to  refer  you  to  the  copy.  The  polite  man* 
ner  in  which  monfieur  Fennel  has  requefted  to  be  one  of  my 
aids-de-camp  demands  my  acknowledgments.  As  the  appoint- 
ment will  not  be  attended  with  any  expenfe,  and  will  fnew  a 
proper  regard  for  his  complaifance  and  the  attachment  he  is 
pleafed  to  exprefs  for  the  fervice  of  the  American  ftates,  I 
fhall  take  the  liberty  of  complying  with  his  requifition,  and 
tranfmit  him  a  brevet  commirlion,  provided  the  fame  fhall  be 
agreeable  to  Congrefs. — Their  fentiments  upon  this  fubject  you 
will  be  kind  enough  to  favor  me  with  by  the  firft  opportunity. 
The  inclofed  letter  for  the  fieur  De  Chambeau  you  will  pleafe 
to  forward  to  him  (if  he  is  to  be  enlarged)  after  clofing  it. 

Before  I  conclude,  I  miift  take  the  liberty  to  obferve  that  I 
am  under  no  fmall  difficulties  on  account  of  the  French  gentle- 
men that  are  here  in  confequence  of  the  commirTions  they  have' 
received, — having  no  means  to  employ  them,  or  to  afford  them' 
an  opportunity  of  rendering  that  fervice  they  themfelves"  wilfr 
to  give,  or  which  perhaps  is  expected  by  the  public.  Their 
want  of  our  language  is  an  objection  to  their  being  joined  to  a- 
ny  of  the  regiments  here  at  this  time,  were  there  vacancies, 
and  not  other  obitacles.  Thefe  confiderations  induce  me  to 

wilh 


236  GENERAL  WASHINGTON^ 

with  that  Congrefs  would  adopt  and  point  out  fome  particular 
mode  to  be  obferved  refpedting  them.  What  it  mould  be,  they 
will  be  bed  able  to  determine.  But  to  me  it  appears  that  their 
being  here  now  can  be  attended  with  no  valuable  confequences, 
and  that,  as  the  power  of  appointing  officers  for  the. new  army 
is  veiled  in  the  conventions,  &c.  of  the  feveral  ftates,  it  will 
be  neceffary  for  Congrefs  to  direct,  them  to  be  provided  for  in 
the  icgiments  to  be  raifed,  according  to  the  ranks  they  xvould 
with  them  to  bear — (or  I  am  convinced  they  will  never  be  ta- 
ken in,  let  their  merit  be  what  it  may)  ;  or  to  form  them  into 
a  diftincl:  corps  which  may  be  increaled  in  time.  They  feem  to 
be  genteel,  fenfible  men  j  and  I  have  no  doubt  of  their  mak- 
ing good  officers  as  foon  as  they  can  learn  as  much  of  our  lan- 
guage as  to  make  themfelves  well  underftood  :  but,  unlefs  Con- 
grefs interfere  by  their  particular  direction  to  the  ilates,  they 
will  never  be  incorporated  in  any  of  the  regiments  to  be  raifed : 
2nd,  without  they  are,  they  will  be  entirely  at  a  lofs,  and  in 
the  moil  irklbme  fituation,  for  fomething  to  do,  as  they  now 
are.— 'I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c,  G.  W, 


Head-Quarters,  Hacr/em  Heights,  0 Holer  8,   1776, 
SIR, 

SINCE  I  had  the  honor  of  writing  you  yefterday,  I  have 
been  favored  with  a  letter  from  the  honorable  council  of  Maf- 
fachufetts-Bay,  covering  one  from  Richard  Derby,  efquire,  a 
copy  of  which  is  herewith  transmitted,  as  it  contains  intelli- 
gence of  an  important  and  interefting  nature. 

As  an  exchange  of  prifoners  is  about  to  take  place,  I  am  in- 
duced, from  a  queftion  itqted  in  a  letter  I  received  from  go- 
vernor Trumbull  this  morning,  to  afk  the  opinion  of  Congreis 
in  what  manner  the  Mates  that  have  had  the  care  of  them  are 
to  be  reimburfed  the  expenles  incurred  on  their  account.  My 
want  of  information  in  this  inltance,  or  whether  any  account  is 
to  be  fent  in  with  the  prifoners,  would  not  allow  me  to  give 
him  an  anfwer,  as  nothing  that  I  recoiled  has  ever  been  laid 
upon  the  fubjecl.-r-He  alfo  mentions  another  matter,  viz.  whe- 
ther fuca  privates  as  are  mechanics,  and  others  who  may  dcfire 
to  remain  with  us,  fhould  be  obliged  to  return.— -In  refpecl  to 
the  latter,  I  conceive  there  can  be  no  doubt  of  our  being  un- 
der a  nectiTity  of  returning  the  whole,  a  proportion  having 
been  made  on  our  part  for  a  general  exchange,  and  that  agreed 
to  :  bci:dcs,  the  balance  of  prifoners  is  greatly  agahiit  us  j  and 

J  am 


OFFICIAL    LETTERS,  237 

I  am  imformed  it  was  particularly  ftipulated  by  general  Mont- 
gomery^ that  all  thofe  that  were  taken  in  Canada  mould  be  ex-  . 
changed  whenever  a  cartel  was  fettled  for  the  purpofe. 

Under  thefe  circumilances,  I  (hould  fuppofe  the  feveral  com- 
mittees having  the  care  of  them,  mould  be  initrucled  to  make  . 
the  moft  exact  returns  of  the  whole,  however  willing  a  part 
lliould  be  to  continue  with  us.  At  the  fame  time  I  mould 
think  it  not  improper  to  inform  them  of  the  reafons  leading  to 
the  meafure,  and  that  they  mould  be  invited  to  efcape  after- 
wards, which,  in  all  probability,  they  may  effect  without  much 
difficulty  if  they  are  attached  to 'us,  extending  their  influence 
to  many  more,  and  bringing  them  away  alfo. 

The  fituation  of  our  affair^  and  the  prefent  eflablifhment  of 
the  army  requiring  our  moil  vigorous  exertions  to  engage  a 
new  one,  I  prefume  it  will  be  neceffary  to  furniih  the  paymaf* 
t^rrgeneral  as  early  as  poffible  with  money  to  pay  the  bounty, 
lately  refolved  on,  to  fuch  men  as  will  enliit.  Prompt  pay, 
perhaps  may  have  a  happy  effect,  and  induce  the  continuance 
of  fome  who  are  here  :  but,  without  it,  I  am  certain  that  no- 
thing can  be  done  j  nor  have  we  time  to  lofe  in  making  the  ex- 
periment. But  then  it  may  be  afked,  who  is  to  recruit  ?  or 
who  can  coniider  themfelves  as  officers  for  that  purpofe,  till 
the  conventions  of  the  different  Hates  have  made  the  appoint- 
ments ? 

Yeilerday  afternoon  the  exchange  between  lord  Stirling  and 
governor  Browne  was  carried  into  execution  ;  and  his  lordmip 
is  now  here.-  He  confirms  the  intelligence  mentioned  by  cap- 
tain Souther,  about  the  tranfports  he  met,  by  the  arrival  of 
the  Daphne  man-of-war  (a  twenty  gun  fhip)  a  few  days  ago, 
with  twelve  (hips  under  her  convoy,  having  light-horfe  on 
board.  They  failed  with  about  twenty  in  each,  and  loll  about 
eighty  in  their  paffage,  befides  thofe  in  the  vefiel  taken  by  cap- 
tain Souther.— He  further  adds  that  he  had  heard  it  acknow- 
ledged more  than  once,  that,  in  the  aftiqn  of  the  iixteenth  ul- 
timo, the  enemy  had  a  hundred  men  killed, — about  fixty 
Highlanders  of  the  forty-fecond  regiment,  and  forty  of  the 
light  infantry.  This  confeflion  coming  from  themfelves,  we 

may    reafonably    conclude,    did  not   exaggerate    the   number. 

*   *  * 

QElober  9. About  eight  o'clock  this  morning,  two  (hips, 

of  forty- four  guns  each  (fuppofed  to  be  the  Roebuck  and  Phoe- 
nix), and  a  frigate  of  twenty  guns,  with  three  or  four  tenders, 
got  under  way  from  about  Bloomingdale  where  they  had  been 
lying  fome  time,  a.nd  ftpod  with  an  eafy  foutherly  breeze  to- 
wards 


438  GENERAL   WASHINGTON'S 

wards  our  chevaux-de-frife,  which  we  hoped  would  have  inter- 
cepted their  paffage  while  our  batteries  played  upon  them  :  but, 
to  our  furprife  and  mortification,  they  ran  through  without  the 
lead  difficulty,  and  without  receiving  any  apparent  damage 
from  our  forts,  though  they  kept  up  a  heavy  fire  from  both  fides 
of  the  river.  Their  deftination  or  views  cannot  be  known  with 
certainty  :  but  mod  probably  they  are  fent  to  flop  the  naviga- 
tion, and  cut  off  the  fupplies  of  boards,  &c.  which  we  mould 
have  received,  and  of  which  we  are  in  great  need.  They  are 
Handing  up,  and  I  have  difpatched  an  exprefsto  the  convention 
of  this  ilate,  that  notice  may  be  immediately  communicated  to 
general  Clinton  at  the  Highland  fortifications,  to  put  him  on 
his  guard  in  cafe  they  mould  have  any  defigns  againft  them,  and 
that  precautions  mould  be  taken  to  prevent  the  craft  belonging 
to  the  river  falling  into  their  hands. s 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c.  G.  W. 


SIR,  flead-^Harters,  Haerlem-Heights,  QEl.   II,   1776. 

I  BEG  leave  to  inform  you,  that,  fince  my  letter  of  the 
eighth  and  ninth  inftant  which  I  had  the  honor  of  addreffing- 
you,  nothing  of  importance  has  occurred,  except  that  the  fhips 
of  war  which  I  then  mentioned,  in  their  paiTage  up  the  river, 
took  a  (loop  that  was  at  anchor  off  the  mouth  of  Spitendevil, 
and  two  of  our  row-gallies  which  they  out-failed.  The  crews, 
finding  that  they  could  not  prevent  them  falling  into  the  ene- 
my's hands,  ran  them  near  the  more  and  effected  their  own  ef. 
cape.  From  the  intelligence  I  have  received,  the  fhips  are  now 
lying  at  Tarrytown,  without  having  landed  any  men  (which 
feemed  to  be  apprehended  by  forae),  or  attempted  any  thing 
elfe.  Their  principal  views,  in  all  probability  are,  to  interrupt 
our  navigation,  and  to  receive  fuch  difaffecled  perfons  as  incline 
to  take  part  againft  us.  The  former  they  will  effect  beyond  all 
queftion  j  and  I  fear  that  their  expectations  refpecling  the  lat- 
ter will  be  but  too  fully  anfwered. 

O&ober  12.  The  inclofed  copy  of  a  letter  received  laft 
night  from  the  convention  of  this  ftate  will  mew  you  the  appre- 
henfions  they  are  under  on  account  of  the  difaffecled  among 
them.^-I  have  ordered  up  a  part  of  the  militia  from  the  Maf- 
fachufetts  under  general  Lincoln,  to  prevent,  if  poflible,  the 
coniequences  which  they  fuggeft  may  happen,  and  which  there 
is  reafon  to  believe  the  confpirators  have  jn  contemplation.  I 
am  perfuaded  that  they  are  upon  the  eve  of  breaking  out,  and 

that 


OFFICIAL     LETTERS.  239 

that  they  will  leave  nothing  un-effayed  that  will  diftrefs  us 
and  favor  the  defigns  of  the  enemy,  as  loon  as  their  fchemes 
are  ripe  for  it. 

OElober  13. Yefierday  the  enemy  landed  at  Fiog's-Point, 

about  nine  miles  from  hence,  further  up  the  Sound.  Their 
number  we  cannot  afcertain,  as  they  have  ijot  advanced  from 
the  point, — which  is  a  kind  of  iiland, — but  the  water  that  fur- 
rounds  it  is  fordable  at  low  tide.  I  have  ordered  works  to 
be  thrown  up  at  the  paffes  from  the  point  to  the  main.  From 
the  great  number  of  iloops,  fchooners,  and  nine  mips,  that  went 
up  the  Sound  in  the  evening,  full  of  men,  and  from  the  infor- 
mation of  two  deferters  who  came  over  laft  night,  I  have  reafon 
to  believe  that  the  greateft  part  of  their  army  has  moved  up- 
wards, or  is  about  to  do  it,  purfuing  their  original  plan  of  get- 
ting in  our  rear,  and  cutting  off  our  communication  with  the 
country. 

The  grounds  from  Frog's-Point  are  ftrongand  defenfible,  be- 
ing full  of  ftone  fences,  both  along  the  road  and  acofs  the  adjacent 
fields,  which  will  render  it  difficult  for  artillery,  or  indeed  a 
large  body  of  foot,  to  advance  in  any  regular  order,  except 
through  the  main  road.— Our  men  who  are  pofted  on  the  paffes 
feemed  to  be  in  great  fpirits  when  I  left  them  laft  night. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c.  G.  W. 


SIR,  Head-quarters,  Haerlem  Heights,  08.   14,   1776. 

HIS  excellency  having  gone  this  morning  to  vifit  our  pofts 
beyond  Kingibridge  and  the  feveral  paffes  leading  from  Frog's- 
Point  and  the  necks  adjacent,  I  have  the  honor  to  inform  you 
by  his  command,  that  no  interesting  event  has>  taken  place  fince 
his  letter  by  yefterday's  poft. 

Every  day's  intelligence  from  the  convention  of  this  (late 
holds  forth  difcoveries  of  new  plots  and  of  new  confpiracies. 
Some  of  the  members  feem  to  apprehend  that  infurreftions  are 
upon  the  eve  of  breaking  out,  and  have  fuggefted  the  neceflity 
of  feizing  and  fecuring  the  paffes  through  the  Highlands,  left 
the  diffaffefted  mould  do  it.  Their  prefervation  being  a  mat- 
[ter  of  great  importance,  his  excellency,  notwithftanding  the  fi- 
tuation  we  are  in  with  refpeft  to  troops,  has  detached  colonel 
Ta(h  with  his  regiment,  lately  from  New-Hampthire,  in  addi- 
tion to  the  militia  mentioned  in  his  laft,  with  directions  to  re- 
jceive  orders  from  the  convention,  as  to  the  ftation  and  ports  he 
is  to  occupy. 

There 


24o  G£NEkAL  WASHINGTON'S 

There  nre  now  in  our  porTeflion  feveral  perfons,  inhabitants 
of  this  irate,  who  had  engaged  to  join  the  enemy,  and  were  in- 
tercepted in  going  to  them.  There  are  alfo  two  who  confefs 
they  have  been  with  them,  and  that  they  had  actually  engaged 
in  their  fervice  :  but,  finding  the  terms  (the  bounty,  pay,  &c.) 
not  ib  advantageous  as  they  expe6te<llrom  the  information  they1 
had  received,  they  were  induced  to  return. — As  the  affairs  or' 
this  government  are  in  a  precarious  iituation,  and  fuch  as,  the 
convention  themfelves  feem  to  think,  forbid  their  interpolation 
farther  than  taking  meafures  to  apprehend  them,  his  excellency 
would  wilh  to  obtain  the  fentiments  of  Congrefa,  and  their  di- 
rection upon  a  fubjecl  fo  extremely  critical  and  delicate,  and 
which,  in  the  coniideration  of  it,  involves  many  important  con- 
fequences. 

Your  favor  of  the  ninth,  with  its  feveral  inclofures,  his  ex- 
cellency received  yefterday  morning  by  the  exprefs,  who  pro- 
ceeded immediately  on  his  journey. 

Q&ober  17.'  '  "I  am  directed  by  his  excellency  to  acquaint 
you  that  we  are  again  obliged  to  change  our  difpofition,  to 
counteract  the  operations  of  the  enemy.  Declining  an  attack 
tipon  our  front,  they  have  drawn  the  main  body  of  their  army 
to  Frog's-Point,  with  a  defign  of  hemming  us  in,  and  drawings 
line  in  our  rear.  To  prevent  the  confequences  which  would 
but  too  probably  follow  the  execution  of  their  fcheme,  the  ge- 
neral officers  determined  yefterday  that  our  forces  muft  be  ta- 
ken from  hence,  and  extended  towards  Eail  and  Welt  Chefter, 
fo  as  to  out-flank  them.  General  Lee,  who  arrived  on  monday, 
has  ftrongly  urged  the  abfolute  neceffity  of  the  meafure.  It  is 
propofed  to  leave  a  garrifon  at  Fort-Wafhington,  and  to  main- 
tain it  if  poilible,  in  order  to  preferve  the  communication  with 
the  Jerfeys. — They  are  landing  their  artillery  and  waggons  up- 
on the  point  ;  and  there  are  now  feveral  boats  pafling  up  the 
Sound,  full  of  men. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c.  R.  H.  HARRISON. 

P.    S.  The  port  having  not  come  in  fmce  funday,  till  to-day, 

has  been  the  occafion  of  not   writing  to   you   lince   that  time. 

He  was  expected  as  ufual ;  which  prevented   an   exprefs  being 


OFFICIAL    LETTERS.  241 

SIR,  Haer/em  Heights,  October  1 8,   1776. 

I  WAS  yefterday  morning  honored  with  your  favor  of 
the  fifteenth,  with  the  refolutibns  of  the  eleventh  and  four- 
teenth. The  latter,  by  which  Congrefs  have  authorifed  me  to 
appoint  moniieur  Fennel  a  brevet  aid-de-camp,  claims  a  return 
of  my  acknowledgments. 

Laft  night  I  received  a  letter  from  Mr.  Varick,  fecretary  to- 
general  Schuyler  inclofing  a  copy  of  one  from  general  Arnold 
to  general  Gates.  The  intelligence  tranfmitted  by  general  Ar- 
nold being  of  an  extremely,  interefting  and  important  nature,  I 
thought  it  advifable  to  forward  the  fame  immediately  by  ex- 
prefs.  You  have  a  copy  herewith,  which  contains  the  particu- 
lars, and  to  which  I  beg  leave  to  refer  you. 

The  accounts  tranfmitted  you  yefterday  by  poft  will  inform 
you  of  the  movements  of  the  enemy,  and  of  the  meafures  judg- 
ed neceffary  to-be  purfued  by  us,  to  counteract  their  deligns. 
I  have  nothing  to  add  on  this  head,,  except  that  ten  or  eleven 
Ihips,  which  have  been  prevented  paffing  Hell-gate  for  two  or 
three  days  for  want  of  wind,  are  now  under  way,  and  proceed- 
ing up  the  Sound.  Amongft  them  there  appear  to  be  two  fri- 
gates :  the  reft  probably  have  in  ftores,  &c. 

Inclofed  is  a  copy  of  the  lart  general  return  I  have  been  able 
to  obtain.  It  only  comes  down  to  the  fifth  inftant  :  the  fitua- 
tion  of  our  affairs,  and  the  almoft  conftant  neceflity  of  fending 
detachments  from  one  place  to  another  to  watch  the  enemy's 
motions,  have  prevented  the  officers  from  making  them  with 
regularity. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,   &c«  G.  W. 


Kingjbridge,  OBober  20,    1776,  half  after  one  o1  clock  y  P. 
SIR.. 


I  HAVE  it  in  command  from  his  excellency  to  tranfmit  you 
the  inclofed  copies  of  difpatches  which  juft  now  came  to  hand, 
and  which  contain  intelligence  of  the  moft  interefting  and  im- 
portant nature  refpe&ing  our  affairs  in  the  northern  deparment. 
His  excellency  would  have  wrote  himfelf,  but  was  going  to  our 
feveral  pofts,  when  the  exprefs-arrived. 

The  enemy  are  purfuing  with  great  induftry  their  plan  of 
penetrating  the  country  from  the  Sound,  and  of  forming  a  line 
in  our  rear.  They  are  now  extended  frera  frogVPoint  to  New- 

H  h  Rochelle, 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON^ 

Rochelle,  from  whence  it  is  generally  conjectured  they  mean  to 
take  their  route  by  way  of  the  White-Plain*,  and  from  thence 
to  draw  a  line . to  the  North-river.  We  on  our- part  have 
drawn  our  whole  force,  except  the  regiments  intended  to  garri- 
fon  Fort-Wafhington,  from  theifland  of  New- York,  and  have  pof- 
feffed  ourfelves  of  the  heights,  paffes,  and  advantageous  grounds 
between  New-Rochelle,  where  the  van  of  their  army  now  lies, 
and  the  North-river.— They  will  in  all  probability  attempt  to 
effect  their  purpofe  by  moving  higher  up.  If  they  do,  our 
forces  will  move  accordingly,  it  being  a  principal  object  to 
prevent  their  oat-flanking  us. 

On  friday,  one  of  their  advanced  parties,  near  Eaft-Chefter, 
fell  in  with  part  of  colonel  Glover's  brigade,  and  a  fmart  and 
clofe  fkirmifh  enfued,  in  which,  I  have  the  pleafure  to  inform 
you,  our  men  behaved  with  great  coolnefs  and  intrepidity,  and 
drove  the  enemy  back  to  their  main  body. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c.  R.  H.  HARRISON* 


.    SIR,  Head-^uarters,  Valentine's  Hi/!,  Oft.  21,  1776. 

HIS  excellency  being  abfent  on  a  vifit  to  the  fereral  pofts 
<on  the  left  of  our  lines  and  at  White-Plains,  I  have  the  honor 
to  inform  you,  by  the  favor  of  colonel  Whipple,  that,  fmce  my 
letter  of  yefterday,  no  event  of  importance  has  occured. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c.  R,  H.  HARRISON 


To  the  Board  of  War. 

GJSNTLEMEN,  Camp  at  Valentine^*  Hill,  Oft.  22,  1776. 

I  AM  directed  by  his  excellency,  whofe  bufinefs  has  called 
him  from  hence,  to  acknowledge  his  receipt  of  your  favors  of 
the  twelfth  and  fifteenth  inftant,  and  to  inform  you  in  anftver 
to  the  firft,  that  he  will  mention  the  cafe  of  th«  French  gentle- 
men to  general  Lee,  and  obtain  his  opinion  as  to  the  beft  mode 
of  providing  for  them  in  a  ufeful  way.  The  horfes  belonging 
to  the  light  dragoons  who  were  taken,  he  thinks,  will  be  very 
ferviceable  ;  and  he  will  write  to  general  Ward  or  one  of  the 
agents  to  purchafe  them. 

*  In  refpect  to  your  requifition  for  an  immediate  return  o£ 
ordnance  itores,  his  excellency  fays'it  cannot  poflibly  be  com- 
plied with  in  the  prefent  vuifettled  Hate,  of  the  army.  Jn  order 

to 


OFFICIAL    LETTERS, 

to  effect  the  good  purpofes  you  have  in  view,  he  would  take 
the  liberty  to  recommend  the  eftabliming  of  magazines  of  am- 
munition and  other  ordnance  flores  in  proper  places  of  fecu- 
rity,  from  whence  fupplies  could  be  occalionally  drawn.  As- 
large  quantities  are  conftantly  in  demand  in  time  of  war,  he; 
does  not  conceive  your  provifion  in  thcfe  inftances  can  be  too 
gjeat.  • 

He  will  direct  the  regimental  returns  in  future  to  include 
arms  and  accoutrements,  and  the  commiffary-general  to  tranf- 
mit  monthly  lifts  of  rations.  He  thinks  the  regulation  extreme- 
ly proper,  though  he  apprehends  the  information  to  be  prema- 
ture refpe&ing  the  over-quantity  fuggefted  to  have  been  drawn, 
Kaving  heard  no  fufpicion  of  the  fort  ui  this  army  of  late. 

J  have  the  honor  to  be.,  &c.  R.  H.  HARRISON. 


SIR,  Head-Quarters ;  White-Plains,  OB.  25,  1776, 

THE  whole  of  our  army  is* now  here  and  on  the  neigh- 
boring heights,  except  the  troops  left  at  Mount-Wafhington 
and  K,ing(bridge  (about  fourteen  hundred  at  the  former,  and  fix 
hundred  at  the  latter),  and  general  Lee's  divifion  which  now 
forms  the  rear,  and  \vhich  is  on  their  march.  Our  removal, 
and  that  of  the  ftores,  have  been  attended  with  a  great  deal  of 
trouble,  owing  to  the  fcarcity  and  difficulty  of  procuring  wag- 
gons. However,  they  ar*  nearly  effected,  and  without  any 
lofs. — The  general  officers  are  now  reconnoitring  the  feveral 
paiTes  leading  from  the  enemy,  that  the  moft  important  may 
be  immediately  fecured. — The  fituation  of  their  army  remain? 
nearly  the  fame  as  when  I  had  the  honor  of  addrefling  you  en 
the  twenty-firft  inftant.  It  differs  in  nothing  unlefs  it  is  that 
their  main  body  is  more  collected  about  New-Rochelle.  A 
few  of  their  troops  are  extended  as  far  as  Momarioneck. 

On  monday  night  a  detachment  of  our  men,  under  the  com* 
Eland  of  colonel  Hazlet,  was  fent  out  to  furprife  and  cut  off 
major  Rogers,  if  pofliblf,  with  his  regiment  which  was  pofted 
there.  By  fome  accident  or  other  the  expedition  did  not  fuc- 
ceed  fo  well  as  I  could  have  wifhed.  However,  our  advanced 
party,  led  on  by  major  Greene  of  the  firft  Virginia  regimenty 
fell  in  with  their  out-guard,  and  brought  off  thirty-fix  prifon- 
ers,  fixty  mulkets,  and  fome  blankets.  The  number  killed  is 
not  certainly  known  :  but  is  is  reported  by  an  officer  who  was 
the>e,  that  he  counted  about  twenty-five,—- Our  lofs,  two  kill- 


244  GENERAL  WASHINGTON'S 

ed,    and   ten    or  twelve  wounded  j   among  the   latter,    major 
Greene,  whofc  recovery  is  very  doubtful. 

On  wednefday  there  was  alfo  a  fmart  fkirmifti  between  a 
party  of  colonel  Hand's  riflemen, — about  two  hundred  and  for- 
ty,— and  nearly  the  fame  number  of  Heflian  chaffeurs,  in  which 
the  latter  were  put  to  the  rout.  Our  men  buried  ten  of  them 
on  the  field,  and  took  two  prifoners,  one  badly  wounded.  We 
fuftained  no  other  Ipfs  than  having  one  lad  wounded,  fuppofed 
mortally. 

The  {hips  of  war  that  are  In  the  North-river,  fell  down  yef- 
terday  morning  or  the  evening  before,  to  Dobbs's  ferry,  to* 
prevent  our  bringing  itores  from  below  by  water,  and  the  re- 
moval of  thofe  that  are  landed  there.  As  foon  as  the  waggons, 
employed  in  bringing  the  baggage  and  ftqres  of  general  Lee's 
divifion,  are  ciifengaged,  they  will  be  immediately  fent  to  aflilt 
thofe  already  there  to  remove  them, 

On  faturday  night  we  had  the  misfortune  to,  lofe  one  of  the 
new  mips  intended  to  be  funk  for  obilrufting  the  channel.  She 
parted  her  cables  in  a  fevere  fquall,  when  properly  ballafted, 
and  bilged  aa  foon  as  ihe  ftruck  the  more.  The  other  {hip  was 
funk  well  5  and  yefterday  morn-ing  two  brigs,  both  ready,  were 
fent  down  for  the  fame  purpofe. 

About  two  o'clock  this  afternoon,  intelligence  was  brought 
to  head-quarters  that  three  or  four  detachments  of  the  enemy 
were  on  their  march,  and  had  advanced  within  about  four  miles 
of  this  place.  It  has  been  fully  confirmed  fince  by  a  variety 
of  perfons  who  have  been  out  to  reconnoitre. — Their  number 
cannot  be  afcertained  ;  but  it  i?  generally  conjectured  that  the 
detachments  are  or  will  be  fucceeded  by  as  many  columns  conu 
pofing  their  main  body. — Our  drums  have  beat  to  arms,  and 
the  men  are  ordered  to  their  feveral  pods. — Moft  probably 
jbme  important  event  is  upon  the  eve  pf  taking  plaice  j  I  hope 
•Jt  will  be  victory  in  favor  of  pur  arms. — rGeneral  Lee,  with  his 
diviiion,  has  not  got  up  \  but  1  hear  he  is  on  his  march. 

Experiment  having  proved  it  difficult,  if  not  impoffible,  to 
prevent  the  enemy  from  poiTefTmg  the  navigation  of  the  North- 
xiver,  and  rendering  the  communication  and  intercourfe  be- 
tween the  flates  divided  by  it  extremely  hazardous  and  preca- 
jious  by  means  of  their  fhips  of  war,  it  has  become  a  matter  of 
important  consideration  fyow  to  remedy  the  evil,  and  to  guard 
againfi  the  confequences  which  may  refult  from  it.  I  am 
charged  hy  his  excellency  to  mention  it  to  Congrefs  as  a  mat- 
je.i  that  has  employed  much  of  his  thought,  and  that  feems 
Yfprthy  of  the  moft  ferious  attention,  He  has  communicated 

it 


CI  AL  I,ETTRR$.  -£\ 

it.  to  feveral,  of  the  general  and  other  officers,  and  to  many  gen.* 
tlemen  of  fenfe  and  difcernment,    who  all  agree  with  him,  not 
only..  upon  tta:  propriety,  but  the    abiolute    neceffity   that   two 
diftin£t  armies  mould  be  formed,  —  one  to  ad  particularly  in  the 
vtates  which  lie  on  the  eaft,   the  other  in  thofe  that  are  on  the: 
fouth  of  the  river  j  —  the  whole  however  to  be  raifed  on  a  ge- 
neral plan,  and  not  to   be  confined  to  any  particular  place   by 
the  terms  of  enliftment.    Thefe  matters,  —  the  apparent  difficul- 
ty and  perhaps  impracticability  of  fuccours  being  thrown  acrois 
the  river  xvhile  the  enemy  can  command  it,  —  have  induced  his 
excellency  to  fubmit  the  meafures   to  their   confideration,  not 
knowing.  how  their  operations  may  be  directed,  and  forefeeing 
that  innumerable  evils  may  arife   if  a   refpeclable  force  is  not, 
appointed  to  oppofe  their  arms,  wherever  they  are  carried. 
;    J  have  the  honor  to  be,  in  great  hafte,  &c. 

R.  H.  HARE.ISCNT. 

*  *        -4"        '  "  '" 


.  . 

SIR,  White-Plains,  October  29,   1776,' 

•r<5;  ^J'.*JTS  ..j^:'  .  ^-.t  :\  ^v^-,,';'  ;  .,  ..  ,  •  ".  t 
THE  fituation  of  our  affairs  not  permitting  his  excellency 
to  write  himfelf,  I  have  it  in  charge  to  inform  you,  that,  on 
yeiterday  morning  about  ten  o'clock,  the  enemy  appeared  ia 
levcral  large  columns  in  our  front,  and,  from  their  firft  move- 
-ments,  feemed  as  if  they  meant,  an  attack  there.  However, 
halting  for  a  littl^  t>me,  .  their  main  body  filed  off  to  the  left, 
<iipd  prefently  began  a  inoft  fevere  and  inceiTant  cannonade,  at  a 
part  of  our  troops  who  had  taken  pod  on  a  hill,  with  a  view  of 
throwing  up  iome  lines.  At  the  fame  time  they  advanced  in 
two  diviiions,  and,  after  a  fmart  engagement  for  about  a  quar- 
ter of  an  hour,  obliged  our  men  to  give  way. 
y[,Our  lofs  is  not  certainly  known  ;  but,  from  conje&ure,  is  be- 
tween four  and  five  hundred  in  killed,  wounded,  and  milling,—— 
What  theirs  was,  we  have  not  heard. 

,  After  gaining  the  hill  (upon  which  they  are  intrenching)  and 
leaving  a  fufficient  number  of  men  and  artillery  to  prevent  our 
jrepoffeffing  it,  they  proceeded  to  advance'  by  our  left  j  and,  as 
far  as  I  can  difcover,  |;heir  pofts  or  'emcampments  noxv  form 
nearly  a  femicircle.  It  is  evident  their  ciellgri  is  to  get  in  our 
rear  according  to  their  original  plan.  —  Every  meafure  is  taking 
to  prevent  them  if  but  the  removal  of  our  baggage,  &c.  is  at- 
tended with  infinite  difficulty  an(T  delays. 

Our  poft,  from  its  fituation,  is   not  fo  advantageous  as  could 
be  wiihed,  and  was  only  intended  as  temporary  and  occafional, 

till 


GENERAL  WASHING±GN<S 

till  the  ftores  belonging  to  the  army,  which  had  been  depofitedf 
here,  could  be  removed.  The  enemy  coining  on  fo  fuddenly 
has  diilreffed  us  much.  They  are  now  clofe  at  hand,  and  moft 
probably  will  in  a  little  time  commence  their  fecond  attack : 
xve  expecl:  it  every  hour  : — perhaps  it  is  beginning  :  I  have  juft 
heard  the  report  of  fome  cannon. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c.  R.  H,  HARRISON, 


SIR,  jfflite-P&int}  October  31,  1776, 

SINCE  I  had  the  honor  of  addreiling  you  on  the  twenty* 
ninth  inftant,  no  event  of  importance  has  occurred.  The  ene- 
my are  throwing  up  fome  lines  and  redoubts  in  our  front,  with 
a  view  of  cannonading  as  foon  as  they  are  ready  \  and  at  the 
fame  time  are  extending  their  wings  farther  by  our  right  aiul 
left.  It  is  fuppofed  that  one  of  their  objects  is  to  advance  a 
part  of  their  troops,  and  feize  on  the  bridge  over  Croton  river, 
that  the  communication  may  be  cut  off  with  the  upper  country. 
To  prevent  this,  a  part  of  our  force  is  detached,  with  orders  to 
proceed  with  the  utmoil  expedition,  a,nd  to  fecu.re  the  pafs  if 
poffible. 

We  are  trying  to  remove,  to  guard  againft  their  defigns,  but 
are  greatly  impeded  by  reafon  of  the  fcarcity  of  waggons  iu 
proportion  to  our  baggage  and  ftores.  Every  exertion  has 
been  employed  to  obtain  a  furHciency  5  but  they  cannot  be  had 
an  this  part  of  the  country.  The  quai'ter-malter  has  fent  to. 
Connecticut  to  get  a  fupply  if  poffible. 

Our  army  is  decrealing  fa  ft.  Several  gentlemen,  who  havd 
come  to  camp  within  a  few  days,  have  obferved  large  num.ber* 
of  militia  returning  home  on  the  different  roads  :  nor  are  a'ny 
meafures  taken  as  yet  to  raife  the  new  army,  no  commiflions. 
liaving  come  from  the  ilates  to  appoint  or  fignify  the  nominati- 
on of  their  officers,.  If  this  was  done,  perhaps  many  who  are 
now  here  might  be  induced  to  engage  :  but  at  prefent  there  arc 
none  authorifed  to  recruit. 

His  excellency  would  have  wrote  himfelf  by  the  perfon  who, 
carries  this  (to  the  care  of  general  Greene)  j  but  hi«>  atttention 
is  totally  engaged  in  ordering  the  affairs  of  the  army,  and  the 
mode  for  its  removal. 

J  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c,  R.  H.  HARRISON* 


White- 


OFFICIAL    LETTERS.  247 

Si*,  White-Plains,  November  j,  1776*. 

I  AM  directed  by  his  excellency  to  acknowledge  his  re- 
ceipt of  your  favor  of  the  twenty-eighth  ultimo,  which  came 
to  hand  yefterday  evening,  and  to  tranfmit  you  a  copy  of  the 
letter  I  had  the  honor  of  writing  you  by  the  Bofton  exprefs, 
by  his  command.  Had  the  exprefs  been  charged  with  no  other 
letter,  the  lofs  would  not  have  been  attended  with  any  material 
injury  to  us,  or  advantage  to  the  enemy,  provided  it  (hould 
come  to  their  hands  :  but  there  were  others  from  his  excel- 
lency, of  a  very  interefting  nature,  the  mifcarriage  of  'which 
gives  him  much  concern.  As  the  bundle  was  taken  away  info 
fudden  and  fecret  a  manner,  I  fear  there  is  but  little  hope  of 
recovering  it, — being  done  moft  probably  for  the  exprefs  pur- 
pofe  of  furnifhing  the  enemy  with  intelligence,  and  a  Hate  o£ 
our  army.  Befides  his  excellency's  letters,  the  moil  material 
of  which  was  to  Mr.  Rutledge,  there  were  five  or  fix  more  from 
the  gentlemen  of  his  family. 

My  letters  of  the  twenty-ninth  and  of  yefterday,  which  I 
had  the  honor  of  addreffing  you,  will  give  a  pretty  full  account 
of  our  fituation,  and  of  every  matter  refpe&ing  this  army,  an- 
tecedent to  this  date.  I  only  omitted  to  mention  that  we  have 
taken  thirteen  of  the  Waldeckers,  and  that,  for  feveral  days 
paft,  our  fcouting  parties  have  brought  in  one,  two,  or  three 
prifoners.  In  addition  to  thefe,  we  have  every  day  a  deferter 
or  txvo. 

About  fix  o'clock  this  morning,  a  meffenger  arrived  from  lord 
Stirling  (who  is  with  his  brigade  betv/een  two  and  three  miles 
from  White-Plains,  on  our  right,  and  rather  nearer  the  NortV 
liver)  with  intelligence  that  the  enemy  were  advancing  towards 
him  in  two  columns.  This  information  has  carried  his  excel- 
lency and  aids  out.  The  refult  of  their  movement  I  have  not; 
heard  :  but  moft  likely  they  are  purfuing  their  original  aefiga 
of  getting  by  our  flanks  and  feizing  the  heights  above  us.  E~ 
very  precaution  is  taking  to  prevent  them,  and  to  hurry  away 
our  ftores  to  a  more  interior  part  of  the  country, 

J  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c.  R.  H.  HARRISON.: 

P.  S.  His  excellency  has  juft  returned,  and  fays  the  alarm, 
was  premature.  It  arofe  from  fome  of  lord  Stirling's  advanced 
guards  feeing  a  body  of  our  men  who  had  been  ordered  to  rein-" 
force  him,  who  were  fuppofed  to  be  the  enemy.  His  excel- 
lency is  very  apprehenlive  that  the  army  will  be  greatly  dif- 
treffed  for  want  of  provifion,  particularly  in  the  article  of  flour, 
to  the  water-conveyance,  both  in  the  Noith  and  Eaft-. 

rives 


£48  GENERAL  WASHINGTON'S 

xiver,  being  in  the  enemy's  ppflfefiion.  He  has  wrote  to  the 
convention  of  this  ftate,  and  directed  Mr.  Tfubull,  that  their 
iitmoft  exertions  in  this  inrtance  may  be  ufed.  There  is  a  good 
deal  of  hour  on  the  Jerfey  iide  :  but  there  is  no  other  way  to 
tje-t  it,  but  by  carting  and  ferrying  it  over  to  Peeklkill.  This 
i  have  wrote  to  general  Greene  to  have  done,  by  his  excel- 
lency's direction. 


SIR,  White-Plains,  November  3,   1776. 

BY  command  of  his  excellency,  I  have  the  honor  to  in- 
form you  that  our  iituation  is  nearly  the  lame  as  when  I  had 
the  pleafure  of  writing  you  laft.  It  is  altered  in  no  inftance, 
unlefs  in  the  number  of  our  troops,,  which  is  every  day  decreaf- 
ing  by  their  moft  fcandalous  dcfertion  and  return  home.  The 
inclofed  letter  from  general  Parfons,  who  is  ftationed  near  the 
Saw-pits,  and.  which  his  excellency  directed  me  to  tranfmit, 
will  inform  you  of  the  prevalency  of  this  difgraceful  practice. 
.  1  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c.  R.  H.  HARRISON. 


To  the  Board  cf  War. 

GENTLEMEN,  White-Plains,  Nov.  4,  1776. 

BY  command  of  his  excellency,  I  have  the  honor  to  ac- 
knowledge his  receipt  of  your  favor  of  the  twenty-fourth  ulti- 
1*0,  and  to  inform  you  that  he  efteems  the  plan  you  propofe  to 
lay  before  Congrefs,  for  preventing  more  rations  being  drawn 
than  may  be  due,  well  calculated  to  anfwer  the  end.  That 
refpecting  the  rick  feems  to  him  not  entirely  perfect.  The  cap- 
tains or  commanders  of  companies  are  prohibited  from  drawing 
pay  for  fuch  rick  as  may  be  difcharged  from  the  hofpitals  as  un- 
fit for  fervice.  If,  during  their  ftay,  and  before  it  can  be 
known  whether  their  cafe  will  or  will  not  admit  of  their  return, 
it  fliould  become  neceflary  to  make  up  a  regimental  pay-abilracl, 
in  what  manner  are  the  officers  to  make  up  theii  rolls  ?  are 
they  to  include  the  fick,  or  not  ? 

As  this  is  a  cafe  which  may  and  muft  of  neceflity  frequently 
happen,  it  appears  to  his  excellency  that  the  intended  regula- 
tions fliould  be  more  general,  and  reft  rain  the  officers  from  in- 
cluding in  their  pay-abftracts  or  rolls  all  the  fick  they  fend  to 
the  hofpitals,  and  the  pay  due  'em  previous  to  their  going.  In 

fuch 


OFFICIAL    LETTERS.  249 

fuch  cafe,  thofe  who  are  difcliarged  as  unfit  for  fervice  may  receive 
their  pay  as  Intended  j  and  thofe  who  return  to  duty  can  ob- 
tain what  was  due  to  them  when  the  regiment  was  paid,  by  ap- 
plying to  the  paymafter  with  the  officer  and  furgeon's  certifi- 
cates, or  be  included  in  a  fubfequent  abflra'61.  The  inconvenien- 
ces and  abufes  which  are  dellgned  to  be  remedied  by  thefe  re- 
gulations, his  excellency  does  not  apprehend  to  arife  fo  much, 
from  neceflity  (as  incident  to  the  nature  of  armies),  as  from  the, 
imperfect  inflitution  of  the  prefent,  and  the  great  mixture  and 
diverfity  of  troops  compofmg  it,  and  alfo  from  the  inattention 
of  the  officers.  *  *  * 

The  defencelefs  ftate  of  Pennfylvania,  as  communicated  by 
the  committee  of  fafety  to  your  honorable  body,  is  a  matter  of 
much  concern  to  his  excellency,  who  is  not  a  little  aggravat- 
ed by  the  part  too  many  feem  ready  to  take  in  favor  of  the  e- 
nemy.  He  trufts,  however,  the  defection  will  be  too  incoml- 
tlerable  to  threaten  any  alarming  confequences. 

'  Before  the  receipt  of  your  letter,  his  excellency  had  wrote 
to  the  commanding  officer  of  the  Virginia  regiments  at  Tren- 
ton, directing  him  to  march  them  forward  towards  general 
Greene's  poft,  and  there  remain  under  his  command  till  fur- 
ther orders,  unleft  fpecial  mftru&ions  had  been  or  mould  be 
given  to  the  contrary  by  Congrefi,  or  for  their  particular  deftl- 
nation. 

Agreeable  to  your  requeft,  his  excellency  has  confulted  with 
general  Lee  upon  the  beft  raode  for  employing  the  French  gen- 
tlemen, and  making  them  ferviceable.  The  refult  is  that  they 
(hould  be  appointed  to  regiments  by  Congrefs  according  to  the 
ranks  they  have  been  pleafed  to  give  them,  and  with  the  fame 
pay  as  is  allowed  other  officers  in  fuch  cafes.  Their  want  of 
our  language  is  rather  an  objection  :  but  it  is  hoped  they  will 
attain  a  fufficient  knowledge  of  it,  ere  it  be  long,  to  be  of  great 
fervice  j  and  that,  in  the  interim,  their  advice  and  afliftance 
in  directing  of  works  may  be  of  ufe  where  they  may  be  flation- 
cd. — With  great  refpec~t,  I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c. 

R.  H.  HARRIS  aw. 


SIR,  Whits-Plains,  November  6,   1776', 

I  HAVE  the  honor  to  inform  you  that  on  yeflerday 
morning  the  enemy  made  a  fudden  and  unexpected  movement 
from  the  fevtraL  pofts  they  had  taken  in  our  front.  They 

.,_     broke 
I  i 


250  GENERAL  WASHINGTON'S 

broke  up  their  whole  encampments  the  preceding  night,  and 
have  advanced  towards  Kingfbridge  and  the  North-river.  The 
defign  of  this  manoeuvre  is  a  matter  of  much  conjecture  and 
and  fpeculation,  and  cannot  be  accounted  for  with  any  degree 
of  certainty.  The  grounds  we  had  taken  poffeflion  of  were 
ftrong  and  advantageous,  and  fuch  as  they  could  not  have  gain- 
ed without  much  lofs  of  blood  in  cafe  an  attempt  had  been 
made.  I  had  taken  every  precaution  to  prevent  their  out- 
flanking us  j — which  may  have  led  to  the  prefent  meafure. 
They  may  Hill  have  in  view  their  original  plan,  and,  by  a  fud- 
den  wheel,  try  to  accomplim  it.  Detachments  are  conftantly 
out  to  obferve  their  motions,  and  to  harrafs  them  as  much  as 
poflible. 

In  confequence  of  this  movement  I  called  a  council  of  gene- 
ral officers  to-day,  to  confult  of  fuch  meafures  as  mould  be  a^ 
dopted  in  cafe  they  purfued  their  retreat  to  New- York  j  the 
refult  of  which  is  herewith  tranfmitted.  In  refpecl  to  myfelf, 
I  cannot  indulge  an  idea  that  general  Howe,  fuppofing  he  is  go- 
ing to  New-York,  means  to  clofe  the  campaign,  and  to  fit 
down  attempting  fomething  more.  I  think  it  highly  probable, 
and  almoft  certain,  that  he  will  make  a  defcent  with  a  part  of 
his  troops  into  Jerfey  j  and,  as  foon  as  I  am  fatisfied  that  the 
prefent  manoeuvre  is  real  and  not  a  feint,  I  mall  ufe  every 
means  in  my  power  to  forward  a  part  of  our  force  to  counter- 
act his  defigns  :  nor  fhall  I  be  difappointed  if  he  fends  a  detach- 
ment to  the  fouthward  for  the  purpofe  of  making  a  winter  cam- 
paign. 

From  the  information  I  have  received,  there  is  now  a  num- 
ber of  tranfports  at  Red-Hook,  with  about  three  thoufand 
troops  on  board.  Their  deftination,  as  given  out,  is  to  Rhode- 
Ifland  -7  but  this  feems  altogether  improbable  for  various  rea- 
fons  :  among  others,  the  feafon  is  much  againil  it.  In  the 
fouthern  ftates  they  will  find  it  milder,  and  much  more  favora- 
ble for  their  purpo'fes.  I  fhall  take  the  liberty  of  mentioning 
that  it  may  not  be  improper  to  fuggeft  the  probability  of  fuch 
a  meafure  to  the  affemblies  and  conventions  in  thofe  flates,  that 
they  may  be  on  their  guard, — and  the  propriety  of  their  efta- 
blifhing  and  laying  up  magazines  of  provifions  and  other  neceffa- 
ries  in  iuitable  places.  This  is  a  matter  of  exceeding  import- 
ance, and  what  cannot  be  too  much  attended  to. 

From  the  approaching  diflblution  of  the  army,  and  the  de- 
parture of  the  new  levies  which  is  on  the  eve  of  taking  place, 
and  the  little  profpeft  of  levying  a  new  one  in  time,  I  have 
wrote  to  the  eaftern  ftates  by  the  unanimous  advice  of  the  ge- 
neral 


OFFICIAL    LETTERS.  251 

fieral  officers,  to  forward  fupplies  of  militia  in  the  room  of  thofe 
that  are  now  here,  and  who,  it  is  feared,  will  not  be  prevailed 
c*i  to  ftay  any  longer  than  the  time  they  are  engaged  for.  The 
propriety  of  this  application,  I  truft,  will  appear,  when  it  is 
known  that  not  a  fingle  officer  is  yet  commiffioned  to  recruit, 
and  when  it  is  confidered  how  effential  it  is  to  keep  up  forae 
ftiew  of  force  and  ihadow  of  an  army. 

I  expect  the  enemy  will  bend  their  force  againft  Fort-Wam- 
ington,  and  inveft  it  immediately.  From  fome  advices  it  is  ari 
object  that  will  attracl  their  earlieft  attention. 

I  am  happy  to  inform  you,  that,  in  the  engagement  on  mon- 
day  fe'nnight,  I  have  reafon  to  believe  our  lofs  was  by  no 
means  fo  considerable  as  was  conjectured  at  firft.  By  fome  de* 
ferters  and  prifoners  we  are  told,  that  of  the  enemy  was  tolera- 
bly great ;  fome  accounts  make  it  about  four  hundred  in  killed 
and  wounded  :  all  agree  that  among  the  former  there  was  a  co- 
lonel Carr  of  the  thirty-fifth  regiment. 

The  force  that  will  be  fent  to  Jerfey  after  I  am  fatisfied  of 
Mr.  Howe's  retreat,  in  addition  to  thofe  now  there,  according 
to  my  prefent  opinion,  will  make  it  neceflary  for  me  to  go  with 
them,  to  put  things  in  a  proper  channel,  and  fuch  a  way  of  de- 
fence as  mall  feem  mod  probable  to  check  the  progrefs  of  the 
enemy,  in  cafe  they  fliould  attempt  a  defcent  there,  or  a  move 
toward  Philadelphia. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c.  G.  W.' 


To  the  Board  of  War. 

GENTLEMEN,  Whitv-P lams ,  November  8,  1776, 

I  HAVE  been  favored  with  yours  of  the  thirty-firft  ul- 
timo, by  rnoniieur  Laytaniac,  and  mufl  take  the  liberty  of  re- 
ferring you  to  my  former  letters  upon  the  fubjecl  of  providing 
for  the  French  gentlemen  who  (hall  incline  to  enter  the  fervice 
of  the  flates.  To  me  it  appears  that  one  or  two  modes  muft  be 
adopted  ;  they  muft  either  be  appointed  to  places  in  fome  of 
the  regiments,  or  formed  into  a  diftincl:  corps.  The  former 
was  advifed  as  the  moil  eligible  in  refpecl  to  the  gentlemen 
who  were  here  before.  It  requires  time  to  form  an  accurate 
opinion  of  the  merits  of  an  officer  j  and  the  prefent  fituation  of 
the  army  will  not  allow  me  to  pay  a  particular  attention  to 
raonfieur  Laytaniac,  or  fuch  notice  as  he  may  wifh  to  receive, 

or 


253  GENERAL  WASHINGTON'S 

or  I  to  give  :  nor  is  there    any  way  of  making  his  flay  here  a 
greeable. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c,  G.  W\ 


SIR,  While-Plains ',  November  9,   1776, 

I  HAVE  the  honor  to  tranfmit  you  a  copy  of  a  letter  from 
general  Gates  to  general  Schuyler,  an  I  of  another  paper  con-, 
taining  intelligence  refpecting  the  northren  army  and  the  iitua- 
tion  of  the  enemy  in  that  department.  They  this  minute  came 
to  hand  5  and  to  them  I  beg  leave  to  refer  you  for  particulars. 

By  every  information  1  can  obtain,  and  the  accounts  I  had 
laft  night  by  two  deferters  who  were  very  intelligent  and  parti - 
r'ular,  general  Howe  ftill  has  in  view  an  expedition  to  the  Jer- 
leys,  and  is  preparing  for  it  with  the  greateil  induftry.  I  have 
detached  the  firil  divifion  of  our  troops  which  was  thought  ne- 
ceffary  to  be  fent?  and  which  I  hope  will  crofs  the  river  at 
Peekikill  to-day.  The  fecond,  I  expect,  will  all  march  this  e- 
vening ;  and  to-morrow  morning  I  propofe  to  follow  myfelf,  in, 
order  to  put  things  in  the  beft  train  I  can,  ana1  to  give  him  eve- 
ry poffible  oppofition. — I  hope  (when  the  two  diviiions  arrive, 
and  are  joined  to  fuch  other  force  as  I  expect  to  collect)  to 
check  his  progrefs  and  prevent  him  from  penetrating  any  dift- 
ance  from  the  river,  if  not  to  oblige  him  to  return  immediately 
with  fome  lofs.  Whatever  is  in  my  power  to  effect,  mall  be 
clone. 

.1  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c.  G.  W 


Sia,  peek/kill,  November  11,    1776. 

I  HAVE  only  time  to  acknowledge  the  honor  of  yourlet- 
ter  of  the  fifth  inflant,  and  its  feyeral  inclofures,  and  to  inform 
you,  that,  agreeable  to  the  refolves  of  Congrefs,  I  (hall  ufe  e- 
very  meafure  in  my  power  that  the  moving  and  prefent  coniuf- 
ed  flate  of  the  army  will  admit  of,  to  appoint  officers  for  re- 
cruiting. 

You  will  have  been  advifed,  before  this,  of  the  arrival  of 
pommiffioners  from  the  MaiTachuTetts.  Others  have  come  from 
Connecticut  :  but,  from  the  prefent  appearance  of  things,  we 
feem  but  little  if  any  nearer  to  levying  an  army.  I  had  antici- 
pated the  refolve  refpecti.ng  the  militia,  by  writing  to  the  eaft- 
$rr\  ftatcs  and  to  the  Jerfey,  by  the  advife  of  my  general  offi- 
cers, 


OFFICIAL     LETTERS. 

cers,  and  from  a  confcioufnefs  of  the  neceiTity  of  getting  in  a 
number  of  men  if  poflible,  to  keep  up  the  appearance  of  an  ar- 
my. How  my  applications  will  fucceed,  the  event  muft  deter- 
mine. I  have  little  or  no  reafon  to  expect  that  the  militia  now1 
here  will  remain  a  day  longer  than  the"  time  they  firfl  engaged 
for.  I  have  recommended  their  ftay,  and  requeited  it  in  gene- 
ral orders.  General  Lincoln  and  the  Msffachufetts  commiffi- 
oners  are  ufing  their  intereit  with  thofe  from  that  ftate  :  but, 
as  far  as  I  can  judge,  we  cannot  rely  on  their  flaying. 

I  left  White-Plains  about  eleven  o'clock  yefterday  j — all 
peace  then.  The  enemy  appeared  to  be  preparing  for  their 
expedition  to  Jerfcy  accoiding  to  every  information.  What 
their  defigns  are,  or  whether  their  prefent  concjucl  is  not  a  feint, 
I  cannot  determine. 

The  Maryland  and  Virginia  troops  under  lord  Sterling  have 
croffed  the  river,  as  have  pait  of  thofe  from  the  Jerfey  :  the  re» 
mainder  are  now  embarking.  The  troops,  judged  neceffary  to 
fecure  the  feveral  pofts  through  the  Highlands,  have  alfo  got 
up.  I  am  going  to  examine  the  paffes,  and  direct  fuch  works 
as  may  appear  neceffary  j  after  which,  and  making  the  beft  dif- 
pofition  I  can  of  things  in  this  quarter,  I  intend  to  proceed  to 
Jerfey,  which  I  expert  to  do  to-morrow. 

The  affemblies  of  Maffachufetts  and  Connecticut,  to  indues 
their  men  more  readily  to  engage  in  the  fervice,  have  voted  an 
advance  pay  of  twenty  millings  per  month,  in  addition  to  that 
allowed  by  the  Congrefs  to  privates.  It  may  perhaps  be  the 
means  of  their  levying  the  quotas  exacted  from  them  foonec 
than  they  could  othei  wife  have  been  raifed  :  but  I  am  of  opini-> 
on,  a  more  fatal  and  miftaken  policy  could  not  have  entered 
their  councils,  or  one  more  detrimental  to  the  general  caufe* 
The  influence  of  the  vote  will  become  continental,  and  materi- 
ally affect  the  other  ftates  in  making  up  their  levies.  If  they 
could  do  it,  I  am  certain,  when  the  troops  come  to  act  toge- 
ther, that  jealouiy,  impatience  and  mutiny.  wTould  nec^fl'arily  a* 
rife.  A  different  pay  cannot  exift  in  the  fame  army.  The  rear 
ions  are  obvious,  and  experience  has  proved  their  force  in  the 
cafe  of  the  eailera  and  fouthern  troops  laft  fpring.  Senfi- 
ble  of  this,  and  of  the  pernicious  confequences  that  would  in* 
evitably  refult  from  the  advance,  I  have  prevented  the  com- 
miffioners  from  proceeding  or  publishing  their  terms  till  tbey 
could  obtain  the  fenfe  of  Congrefs  upon  the  fubject,  and  remon«- 
ilratcd  againit  it  in  a  letter  to  governor  Trumbull.  I  am  net 
lingular  in  opinion  :  I  have  tlie  concurrence  of  all  the  general 
,  of  its  fatal  tendency. 

I  congra- 


254  GENERAL  WASHINGTON'S 

I  congratulate  you  and  Congrefs  upon  the  news  from  Ticon- 
deroga,  and  that  general  Carleton  and  his  army  have  been  obli- 
ged to  return  to  Canada  without  attempting  any  thing. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c.  G.  W. 


SIR,  General  Greeners  Quarters,  Nov.  14,   1776. 

I  HAVE  the  honor  to  inform  you  of  my  arrival  here  yef- 
terday,  and  that  the  whole  of  the  troops  belonging  to  the  ftates, 
which  lay  fouth  of  Hudfon's  river,  and  tvhich  were  in  New- 
York  government,  have  paffed  over  to  this  fide,  except  the  re- 
giment, lately  colonel  Smallwood's,  which  I  expect  is  now  on 
their  march. 

That  they  may  be  ready  to  check  any  incurfions  the  enemy 
may  attempt  in  this  neighborhood,  I  intend  to  quarter  them  at 
Erunfwic,  Amboy,  Elizabeth-town,  Newark,  and  about  this 
place,  unlefs  Congrefs  mould  conceive  it  neceffary  for  any  of 
them  to  be  llationed  at  or  more  contiguous  to  Philadelphia. 
In  fuch  cafe  they  will  be  pleafed  to  fignify  their  pleafure. 
There  will  be  very  few  of  them  after  the  departure  of  thofe 
who  were  engaged  for  the  flying  camp,  which  is  faft  approach- 
ing. The  difpofition  I  have  mentioned  feems  to  me  well  cal- 
culated for  the  end  propofed,  and  alfo  for  their  accommoda- 
tion. 

The  movements  and  defigns  of  the  enemy  are  not  yet  under- 
ftood.  Various  are  the  opinions  and  reports  on  this  head.  From 
every  information,  the  whole  have  removed  from  Dobbs's  fer- 
ry towards  Kingfbridge  ;  and  it  feems  to  be  generally  believed 
on -all  hands,  that  the  inverting  of  Fort-Wafhington  is  one  ob- 
ject they  have  in  view  :  but  that  can  employ  but  a  fmall  part  of 
their  force.  Whether  they  intend  a  fcuthren  expedition,  muft 
be  determined  by  time  :  to  me  there  appears  a  probability  of 
it,  which  feems  to  be  favored  by  the  advices  we  have  that  ma- 
ny tranfports  are  wooding  and  watering.  General  Greene's 
letter  would  give  you  the  fubftance  of  the  intelligence  brought 
by  Mr.  Merfereau  from  Sfaten-Iiland  in  this  inftance,  which  he 
received  before  it  came  to  me. 

Inclofed  you  have  copies  of  two  letters  from  general  Howe, 
and  of  my  anfwer  to  the  firft  of  them.  The  letter  alluded  to, 
and  returned  in  his  laft,  was  one  from  myfelf  to  Mrs.  "Wafhing- 
ton,  of  the  twenty  fifth  ultimo,  from  whence  I  conclude  that  all 
the  letters  vrhich  went  by  the  Botlon  exprefs  have  come  to  his 
pofisffion.  You  will  alfo  porceive  that  general  Howe  has  re- 

queiled 


OFFICIAL    LETTERS.  255 

quefted  the  return  of  Peter  Jack,  a  fervant  to  major  Stewart, 
to  which  I  have  confented,  as  he  was  not  in  the  military  line, 
and  the  requifition  agreeable  to  the  cuftom  of  xvar.  This  fer- 
vant having  been  fent  to  Philadelphia  with  the  Waldeckers  and 
other  prifoners,  I  muft  xequelt  the  favor  of  you  to  have  him  con- 
veyed to  general  Greene  by  the  earlieft  opportunity,  in  order 
that  he  may  be  returned  to  his  matter. 

Before  I  conclude,  I  beg  leave  not  only  to  fuggeft  but  to 
urge  the  neceffity  of  increafingour  field  artillery  very  confider- 
ably.  Experience  has  convinced  me,  as  it  has  every  gentleman 
of  difcernment  in  this  army,  that,  while  we  remain  fo  much  in- 
ferior to  the  enemy  in  this  inftance,  we  muft  carry  on  the  war 
under  infinite  difadvantages,  and  without  the  fmallefl  probabili- 
ty of  fuccefs.  It  has  been  peculiarly  owing  to  the  Situation  of 
the  country  where  their  operations  have  been  conducted,  and 
to  the  rough  and  Itrong  grounds  we  poiTeffed  ourfelves  of,  and 
over  which  they  had  to  pafs,  that  they  have  not  carried  their 
arms,  by  means  of  their  artillery,  to  a  much  greater  extent. 
When  thefe  difficulties  ceafe  by  changing  the  fcene  of  action  to 
a  level  campaign  country,  the  worft  of  confequences  are  to  be 
apprehended.  I  would  therefore,  with  the  concurrence  of  all 
the  officers  whom  I  have  fpoken  to  upon  the  fubject,  fubmit  tor 
the  confideration  of  Congrefs  whether  immediate  meafures. 
ought  not  to  be  taken  for  procuring  a  refpectable  train. 

It  is  agreed  on  all  hands  that  each  battalion  mould  be  fur- 
nifhed  at  leaft  with  two  pieces,  and  that  a  fmaller  number  than  a 
hundred  of  three  pounds,  fifty  of  fix  pounds,  and  fifty  of  twelve 
pounds,  mould  not  be  provided,  in  addition  to  thofe  we  now. 
have.  BefideS  thefe,  if  fome  eighteen  and  twenty-four-pound- 
ers are  ordered,  the  train  will  be  more  ferviceable  and  complete. 
The  wrhole  (hould  be  of  brafs,  for  the  molt  obvious  reafons  : 
they  \vill  be  much  more  portable,  not  half  fo  liable  to  burft ; 
and,  when  they  do,  no  damage  is  occafioned  by  it,  and  they  may 
be  cait  over  again.  The  fizes  before  defcribed  mould  be  parti- 
cularly attended  to  :  if  they  are  not,  there  will  be  great  reafou 
to  expect  miftakes  and  contufion  in  the  charges  in  time  of  acti- 
on, as  it  has  frequently  happened  in  the  belt-regulated  armies. 
T  he  difparity  between  thofe  I  have  mentioned  and  iuch  as  are 
of  an  intermediate  iize  is  difficult  to  difcern. 

It  is  alfo  agreed  that  a  regiment  of  artillerifts,  with  approved 
and  experienced  officers,  ihould  be  obtained  if  pofliblc,  and  fome 
engineers  of  known  reputation  and  abilities.  I  am  forry  to  fay, 
too  ready  an  indulgence  has  been  had  to  fcveral  appointments  ia 


256  GENERAL  WASHINGTON^ 

the  latter  mftarlce,  and  that  men  have  been  promoted,  who'  feerri 
to  me  to  know  but  little  if  any  thing  of  the  buiinefs. 

Pe  rhaps  this  train,  &c.  may  be  looked  upon  by  fome  as  large 
and  expensive.  True,  it  will  be  fo  :  but  when  it  is  confideied 
that  the  enemy,  having  effected  but  little  in  the  courfe  of  the 
prefent  campaign,  will  ufe  their  utmoil  efforts  to  fubjucate  us 
in  the  next,  every  coniiderationof  that  fort  ihould  be  difregard- 
ed,  and  every  poffible  preparation  made  to  fruftrate  their  *  *  * 
attempts.  How  they  are  to  be  procured,  is  to  be  inquired  into. 
—That  we  cannot  provide  them  among  ourfelves,  or  more  than 
a  very  fmall  proportion,  fo  trifling  as  not  to  deferve  our  notice, 
is  evident.  Therefore  I  would  advife,  with  all  imaginable  de- 
ference, that,  without  any  abatement  of  our  own  internal  ex- 
ertions, application  fhould  be  immediately  made  to  flicli  pow- 
ers as  can  and  may  be  willing  to  fupply  them.  They  cannot 
be  obtained  too  early,  if  foon  enough  :  and  I  am  told  they  may 
be  ealily  had  from  France  ana  Holland. 

Mr.  Trumbull  the  commiiTary-general  has  frequently  menti- 
oned to  me  of  late  the  inadequacy  of  his  pay  to  his  trouble  and 
the  great  rifk  he  is  fubjecl  to  on  account  of  the  large  fums  of 
money  which  pafs  through  his  hands.  He  has  flated  his  cafe 
with  a  view  of  laying  it  before  Congrefs  and  obtaining  a  more 
adequate  compensation.  My  fentiments  upon  the  fubjecl  are 
already  known  :  but  yet  I  mall  take  tjie  liberty  to  add  that  I 
think  his  complaint  to  be  well  founded,  and  hi§  pay,  confider- 
ing  the  important  duties  and  rilks  of  his  office,  by  no  means 
fufficient,  and  that  the  footing  he  feems  to  think  it.  Ihould  be 
upon,  himfelf,  appears  juft  and  reasonable. 

A  propofition  having  been  made  long  iince  to  general  Howe 
ana  agreed  to  by  him,  for  an  exchange  of  prifoners  in  coufe- 
quence  of  the  refolutions  of  Congrefs  to  that  effecl,  I  (hall  be 
extremely  happy  if  you  will  give  directions  to  the  committees 
and  thofe  having. the  charge  of  prifoners  in  the  feveral  flates 
fbuth  of  Jerfey,  to  tranfmit  me  proper  lifts  of  the  names  of  all 
the  commiflioned  officers,  and  of  their  ranks  and  the  corps  they 
belong  to  j  alfo  the  number  of  non-commirTioned  and  privates, 
and  their  refpedHve  regiments.  You  will  perceive  by  his  let- 
ter, he  fuppofes  me  to  have  affecled  fome  delay,  or  to  have 
been  unmindful  of  the  proposition  I  had  made. 

I  propofe  to  (lay  in  this  neighborhood  a  few  days,  in  which 
time  I  expeft  the  defigns  of  the  enemy  will  be  more  difclofed, 
and  their  incurfions  be  made  in  this  quarter,  or  their  invefti- 
ture  of  Fort-Waihington,  if  they  are  intended. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c.  G.  W. 

Tt 


OFFICIAL    LETTERS.  257 

ro  the  Board  of  War. 
General  Greeners  Quarter S,  November  15,   1776. 

GENTLEMEN,, 

ON  wednefday  evening  I  received  the  favor  of  your  letter 
of  the  eighth  inftant,  in  confequence  'of  which  I  Hopped  the 
flag  that  was  going  in  with  the  ladies  you  mention,  pointing 
out  to  them  the  neceffity  of  the  meafure,  and  recommending 
them  to  write  to  their  hufbands  and  connections  to  obtain  ge- 
neral Howe's  aflurances  for  the  releafe  of  Mrs.  Lewis,  and  Mr?. 
Robinfou  and  her  children,  with  their  baggage,  as  the  condition 
on  which  they  will  be  permitted  to  go  in  themfelves.  Thefe 
terms  I  can  only  extend  to  Mrs.  Barrow  and  Mrs.  Kemp  who 
had  never  obtained  my  leave  :  Mrs.  Watts  had,  and  my  pro- 
mife  that  (lie  ihould  go  in.  The  whole  however  were  prepared 
to  go,  when  the  letter  reached  Newark.— —The  mode  1  have 
adopted  feems  mod  likely,  and  the  only  proper  ore,  to  procure 
the  enlargement  'of  our  ladies,  which  I  wiih  for  much. 

I  am,  gentlemen,  with  great  refpecl,    &:c.  G.  W. 


To  the  Board  of  War. 

GENTLEMEN,  Hccki?ifac,  November  15,  1776. 

HAVING  given  my  promife  to  general  Howe,  on  his  ap- 
plication, that  Peter  Jack,  a  fervant  of  major  Stewart,  who 
wasfent  to  Philadelphia  with  the  Waldeckers  and  ether  prifoners 
and  who  has  nothing  to  do  in  the  military  line,  iliould  be  return- 
ed to  his  mafler  agreable  to  the  ufage  of  war  in  iuch  cafes, — I 
mult  take  the  liberty  to  requeft  the  favor  of  you  to  have  him 
conveyed  to  general  Greene  by  the  earlieft  opportunity,  that 
he  may  be  forwarded  to  his  mailer  in  compliance  with  my  pro- 
inife. 

I  alfo  wifli  that  you  would  have  all  the  Britifh  prifoners  col- 
lected that  you  conveniently  can,  and  fent  to  me  as  foon  as 
poflible  with  the  Hedian  prifoners,  that  I  may  exchange  them. 
The  return  of  the  letter  I  think  will  be  attended  with  m?.ny  fglu- 
tary  confequences  :  but,  (Lould  it  be  made  without  that  of  a 
large  proportion  of  other  troops,  it  will  carry  the  marks  of  de- 
iign,  and  occafion  precautions  to  be  taken  to  prevent  the  ends 
we  have  in  view. — I  feaVs  the  honor  to  be,  Sec.  G.  Vvr. 


25S  GENERAL  WASHINGTON'S 

Sin,  General  Greeners  Quarters,  Nov.  16,   1776. 

SINCE  I  had  the  honor  of  addreffing  yon  laft,  an  impor- 
tant event  has  taken  place,  of  which  I  wifli  to  give  you  the  ear- 
lieft  intelligence. 

The  preservation  of  the  paffage  of  the  North-river  was  an 
objeft  of  fo  much  confequence  that  I  thought  no  pains  or  ex- 
penfe  too  great  for  that  purpofe  :  and  therefore,  after  fending 
off  all  the  valuable  ftores  except  fuch  as  were  neceffary  for  its 
defence,  I  determined,  agreeable  to  the  advice  of  moft  of  the 
general  officers,  to  rifk  fomething  to  defend  the  pofl  on  the  eaft 
fide,  called  Mount-Wafhington. 

When  the  array  moved  up  in  jconfequence  of  general  Howe's 
landing  at  Frog-point,  colonol  Magaw  was  left  on  that  com~ 
mand,  with  about  twelve  hundred  men,  and  orders  given  to  de- 
fend it  to  the  lad.  Afterwards,  reflecting  upon  the  fmallnefs 
of  the  garrifon,  and  the  difficulty  of  their  holding  it  if  general 
Howe  ihould  fall  down  upon  it  with  his  whole  force,  I  wrote 
to  general  Greene  who  had  the  command  on  the  Jerfey  (hore, 
directing  him  to  govern  himfelf  by  circumftrmces,  and  to  retain 
or  evacuate  the  pofl  as  he  mould  think  beft,  and  revoking  the 
abfolute  order  to  colonel  Magaw  to  defend  the  pod  to  the  laft 
extremity. — General  Greene,  ftruck  with  the  importance  of 
the  poft,  and  the  difengagement  which  our  evacuation  of  pofts 
muft  necelTariiy  have  given,  reinforced  colonel  Magaw  with  de- 
tachments from  feveral  regiments  of  the  flying  camp,  but  cbdef- 
ly  of  Pennfylvania,  fo  as  to  make  up  the  number  about  two 
thoufand. 

In  this  fituation  things  were  yefterday,  "when  general  HoWe 
demanded  the  furrendry  of  the  garrifoa,  to  which  colonel  Ma- 
gaw returned  a  fpirited  refufal.  Immediately  upon  receiving 
an  account  of  this  tranfaclion,  I  came  from  Hackinfac  to  this 
place,  and  had  partly  croffed  the  North-river  when  I  met  ge- 
neral Putnam  and,  general  Greene,  who  were  juft  returning 
from  thence,  and  informed  me  that  the  troops  were  in  high 
fpirits,  and  would  make  a  good  defence  :  and  it  being  late  at 
night,  I  returned. 

Early  this  morning  colonel  Magaw  pofted  his  troops  partly 
in  the  lines  thrown  up  by  our  army  on  our  firil  coming  thither 
from  New-York,  and  partly  on  a  commanding  hill  lying  north 
of  Mount-Wathington, — the  lines  being  all  to  the  ibutrr.vard. 
In  this  pofition  the  attack  began  about  ten  o'clock,  which  our 
troops  itood,  and  returned  the  fire  in  fuch  a  manner  as  gave 
me  great  hopes  the  enemy  was  entirely  repulfed.  But  at  this 

time 


OFFICIAL     LETTERS  259 

iime  a  body  of  troops  crofted  Haerlem-river  in  boats,  and  land- 
ed infide  of  the  fecond  lines,  our  troops  being  then  engaged  in 
the  firft. 

Colonel  Cadwallader,  who  commanded  in  the  lines,  fent  off 
a  detachment  to  oppofe  them  :  but  they,  being  overpowered 
br  numbers,  gave  way  ;  upon  which,  colonel  Cadwallader  or- 
dered his  troops  to  retreat  in  order  to  gain  the  fort.  It  was 
done  with  much  confufion  ;  and  the  enemy  crofting  over  came 
in  upon  them  in  fuch  a  manner,  that  a  number  of  them  iurren- 
dered. 

At  this  time  the  Heffians  advanced  on  the  north  fide  of  the 
fort  in  very  large  bodies.  They  were  received  by  the  troops 
ported  there,  with  proper  fpirit,  and  kept  back  a  coniiderable 
time  :  but  at  length  they  were  alfo- obliged  to  fubmit  to  a  fu- 
periority  of  numbers,  and  retire  under  the  cannon  of  the  fort. 

The  enemy,  having  advanced  thus  far,  halted  j  and  immedi- 
ately a  flag  went  in,  with  a  repetition  of  the  demand  of  the 
fortrefs,  as  I  fuppafe.  At  this  time  I  fent  a  billet  to  colonel 
Magaw,  diiecling  him  to  hold  out,  and  I  would  endeavor  this 
evening  to  bring  off  the  garrifon,  if  the  fortrefs  could  not  be 
maintained,  as  I  did  not  expect  it  could,  the  enemy  being  pof- 
feffed  of  the  adjacent  ground.  But,  before  tins  reached  him, 
he  Lad  entered  too  far  into  a  treaty,  to  retrad  :  after  which, 
colonel  Cadwallader  told  another  meffenger  who  went  over, 
that  they  had  been  able  to  obtain  no  other  terms  than  to  fur- 
render  as  prifoners  of  war.  In  this  fituation  matters  now  Hand. 
I  have  Hopped  general  Beall's  and  geneal  Heard's  brigades,  to 
preferve  the  port  and  (lores  here  ;  which,  with  the  other  troops, 
I  hope  we  mall  be  able  to  erFecl. 

I  do  not  yet  know  the  numbers  killed  or  wounded  on  either 
tide  :   but,  from  the   heavinefs   and  continuance  of  the  fire  in 
ibme  places,  I  imagine  there  inult  have  been  confiderable  exe- ' 
cation.  .  ,  i  • 

The  lofs  of  fuch  a  number  of  officers  and  men,  many  of 
whom  have  been  trained  with  more  than  .common  attention, 
will,  I  fear,  be  feverely  felt  j  but,  when  that  of  the  arms  and 
accoutrements  is  added,  much  more  fo  j  and  muft  be  a  further 
incentive  to  procure  as  confiderable  a  fupply  as  poflible  for  the 
ECW  troops,  as  foon  as  it  can  be  done. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c.  G.  W* 


Hackinfac, 


26o  GENERAL  WASHINGTON^ 

»     .      i 
SIR,  Hackinfcc,  November  it;,    1^76". 

I  HAVE,  not  yet  been  able  to  obtain  a  particular  account 
of  the  unhappy  aflair  of  the  fixteenth,  nor  of  the  terms  on 
which  the  garrifon  furrendered.  The  intelligence  that  has 
come  to  hand  is  not  fa  full  and  accurate  as  I  could  wiih.  One 
of  the  artillery,  whofe  information  is  moft  direct,  and  who  ef- 
caped  on  funday  night,  fays  the  enemy's  lof's  was  very  confi- 
derahie,  efpecially  in  the  attack  made  above  the  fort  by  the 
divifion  of  Heffians  that  marched  from  Kingfbridge,  and  where 
lieutenant-colonel  Rawlins,  of  the  late  colonel  bttphenfon's 
regiment,  was  ported. 

They  burned  yefterday  one  or  two  houfes  on  the  heights,  and 
contiguous  to  the  fort,  and-  appeared,  by  advices  from  general 
Greene,  tq  be  moving  in  the  evening  their  main  body  down 
towards  the  city.  Whether  they  will  dole  the  campaign  with- 
out attempting  fomething  more,  or  make  an  incurflon  into  Jer- 
fey,  miifi.  be  determined  by  the  events  themfelves. 

As  Fort  Lee  was  always  ccniidered  as  only  neceiTary  in  con- 
iundion  with  that  on  the  eaft  fide  of  the  river,  to  preierve  the 
communication  acrofs,  and  to  prevent  the  enemy  from  a  free 
navigation,  it  has  become  of  no  importance  by  the  lofs  of  the 
other,  or  not  fo  material  as  to  employ  force  for  its  defence. 
Being  viewed  in  this  light,  and  apprehending  that  the  itores 
there  would  be  pjecarioufiy  fituated,  their  removal  has  been 
determined  on  to  Boundbrock  above  Brunfvvic,  Princeton, 
Springfield,  and  Aquacker.unk-biidge,  as  places  that  will  not 
be  fubjecl  to  fudden  danger  in  caft  the  enemy  mould  pafs  the 
river,  and  which  have  been  .thought  proper  as  repofitories  for 
fome  of  our  ftores  of  provifion  find  forage. 

The  troops  belonging  to  the  flying  camp  under  generals 
Heard  and  Beall,  with  what  remains  of  general  Swing's  bri- 
rade,  are  now  at  Fort-Lee,  where  they  will  continue  till  the 
itores  are  got  away-  By  the  time  that  is  effeded,  their  term 
of  enliftment  will  b«  near  expiring  ;  and,  if  the  enemy  fhould 
inake  a  pufh  in  this  quarter,  the  only  troops  that  there  will  be 
to  oppole  them,  will  be  Hand's,  Hazlett's,  the  regiment  from 
Virginia,  and  that,  lately  Smallwoocl's, — the  latter  greatly  re- 
duced by  the  lo,ffes  it  fuftained  on  Long-! Hand,  &c.  and  fick- 
nefs  :  nor  are  the  reft  by  any  means  complete.  In  addition  to 
tfiefe,  I  am  told  there  are  a  few  of  the  milita  of  this  Itate,  who 
have  been  called  in  by  governor  Livir.gilon.  I  mall  make 
fuch.  a  difpofition  of  the  whole  at  Brunfw'ic  and  at  the  interme- 
Dof;s,  as  fiiall  feem  moil  likely  to  gu^rd  ugainft  the  de- 


O  FFI  C  I  A  L    L  ET  T  E  R  S.  161 

figns  of  the  enemy,   and  to  prevent  them  making  an  irruption 
or  foraging  with  detached  parties. 

The  inclofed  letter  from  colonel  Miles  and  Atlee  will  {hew 
Congrefs  the  diilrtiTed  iituation  of  our  prifoners  in  New-York  5 
and  their  difircfs  will  become  greater  every  day  by  the  cold 
inclement  feafon  that  is  approaching.  It  will  be  happy  if  fome 
expedient  can  be  adopted,  by  which  they  may  be  furniihed 
with  neceiTary  blankets  and  clothing.  Humanity  and  the  good 
of  the  fervice  require  it. — I  think  the  mode  iuggeited.  by  thefc 
gentlemen,  for  eftahliihing  a  credit,  appears  as  likely  to  fuc- 
ceed,  and  as  eligible,  as  any  that  occurs  to  me.  It  is  probable 
many  articles  that  may  be  wanted  can  be  obtained  there,  and 
upon  better  terms  than  elfevvhere.  In  refpecl  to  provificn,* 
their  allowance  perhaps  is  as  good  as  the  fituation  of  general 
Howe's  ilores  will  admit  of:  it  has  been  faid  of  late  by  defert- 
ers  and  others  that  they  were  rather  fcant. 

By  a  letter  from  the  pay-mafter-general,  of  the  feventeenth,  • 
he  fays  there  will  be  a  neceffity  that  large  and  early  remittan- 
ces mould  be  made.  The  demands,  when  the  troops  now  in 
fervice  are  difmirTed,  will  be  extremely  great.  Beiides,  the 
bounty  recruits  will  require  a  large  fupply  j  and  he  adds  that 
the  commiffary-general  has  informed  him,  that,  between  this 
and  the  laft  of  December,  he  ihall  have  occafion  for  a  minion 
of  dollars. 

November   21. The  unhappy   affair  of  the  ilxteenth  has 

been  fucceeded  by  further  misfortunes.  "Veiierdny  morning 
a  large  body  of  the  enemy  landed  between  Dobbs's  ferry  and 
Fort-Lee.  Their  object  was,  evidently,  to  inclofe  the  whole 
of  our  troops  and  ftores  that  lay  between  the  North  and  Hack- 
infac  rivers,  which  form  a  very  narrow  neck  of  land.  For  this 
purpofe,  they  formed  and  marched  as  foon  as  they  had 
afcended  the  high  grounds  towards  the  fort.  Upon  the  firft 
information  of  their  having  landed,  and  of  their  movements, 
our  men  were  ordered  to  meet  them  :  but  finding  their  num- 
bers greatly  fuperior,  and  that  they  were  extending  thenifelve'? 
to  feize  on  the  paffes  over  the  river,  it  was  thought  puident 
to  withdraw  our  men  j  which  was  effected,  and  their  retreat 
fecured.  We.  loll  the  whole  of  the  cannon  that  was  at  the  fort 
(except  two  twelve-pounders)  and  a  great  deal  of  baggage,* 
between  two  and  three  hundred  tents,  about  a  thcufand  barrels 
of  flour,  and  other  ftores  in  the  quarter-matter's  department. 
This  lofs  was  inevitable.  As  many  of  the  ftores  had  been 
removed  as  circum (lances  and  time  would  admit  of.  The  am- 
munition had  been  happily  got  away. 

Our 


2-02  GENERAL  WASHINGTON'S 

Our  prefent  fituation  between  Hackinfac  and  Pafiaic  rivers 
being  exadlly  fimilar  to  our  late  one,  and  our  force  here  by  no 
means  adequate  to  an  oppofition  that  will  promife  the  fmalleit 
probability  of  fuccefs,  we  are  taking  mcafures  to  retire  over 
the  waters  of  the  latttr,  when  the  belt  difpolition  will  be  form- 
ed that  circumilances  will  admit  of. 

By  colonel  Cadwallader,  who  has  been  permitted  by  general 
Howe  to  return  to  his  friends,  I  am  informed  the  Surrender  of 
the  garrifon  on  the  iixteenth  was  on  the  common  terms  as  pri- 
foners  of  war  j  the  lofs  cf  the  Heffians,  about  thiee  hundfed 
privates  and  twehty-feven  officers  killed  and  wounded  ;  about 
iorty  of  the  Britim  troops,  and  two  or  three  officers  :  the  lofs 
on, our  fide  but  inconfiderable.  I  beg  leave  to  refer  you  to  him 
for  a  more  particular  account,  and  alfo  for  his  relation  of  the 
diftreiTes  of  our  prifoners. — Colonels  Miles  and  Atlee's  letter, 
mentioned  above  upon  this  fubjeci,  was  through  miilake  fent 
from  hence  yefterday  morning.  The  mode  of  relief  propofed 
by  them  was  a  credit  or  fupply  of  cam  through  the  means  of 
Mr.  Franks.  This  Teems  to  be  doubtful,  as  he  is  faid  to  be  in 
confinement  by  colonel  Cadwallader, — provided  it  would  have 
been  otherwise  practicable. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,    &c.  G.  W. 

P.  S.  Your  favor  of  the  fixteenth  was  duly  received. — My 
'letter  to  the  beard  of  war,  on  the  fubjeci  of  the  return  of  the 
Waldeckers,  I  prefume  you  will  have  feen. 


SfR,  Newark,  November  23,   1776. 

I  HAVE  not  yet  heard  that  any  provifion  is  making  to 
fupply  the  place  of  the  troops  competing  the  flying  camp,  whofe 
departure  is  now  at  hand.  The  fituation  of  our  affairs  is  truly 
critical,  and  fuch  as  requires  uncommon  exertions  on  our  part. 
From  the  movements  of  the  enemy,  and  the  information  we 
Have  received,  they  certainly  will  make  a  pu(h  to  poflefs  them- 
ftlves  of  this  part  of  the  Jerfey. — In  order  that  you  may  be  ful- 
ly apprifed  of  our  weakncfs,  and  of  the  neceffity  there  is  of  our 
obtaining  early  fnccours,  1  have  by  the  advice  of  the  general 
officers  here,  directed  general  Mifflin  to  wait  on  you.  He  is 
intimately  acquainted  with  our  circumitances,  and  will  repre- 
fcnt  them  better  than  my  hurried  (late  will  allow. 

I  have  wrote  to  general  Lee  to  coine  over  with  the  conti- 
Bental  regimtnis  immediately  under  his  command  :  thofe  with 
general  Heath  1  have  ordered  to  fecurt  the  pafTes  through  the 

Highlands. 


OFFICIAL     LETTERS.  263 

Highland-?.  I  have  alfo  wrote  to  governor  Livingflon  requefting 
of  him  fuch  aid  as  may  be  in  his  power  j  and  would  fubmit  it 
to  the  confideration  of  Congrefs  whether  application  fhould  not 
be  made  for  part  of  Pennfylvania  militia  to  Hep  forth  at  this 
prefling  time. 

Before  I  conclude,  I  would  mention,  if  an  early  and  imme- 
diate fupply  of  money  could  be  fent  to  Mr.  Dalham  to  pay  the 
flying-camp  troops,  it  might  have  a  happy  effect.  They  would 
fubfill  themfelves  comfortably  on  their  return,  provide  many 
neceffaries  of  which  they  are  are  in  great  want  ;  and  moreover 
it  might  be  the  means  of  inducing  many,  after  feeing  their 
friends,  to  engage  again. 

I  expected,  on  coming  here,  to  have  met  with  many  of  the 
militia,  but  find  from  inquiry  that  there  are  not  more  than  from 
four  to  five  hundred  at  the  different  pofts. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c.  G.  W* 


Sm,  Newark,  November  27,   1776. 

I  DO  myfelf  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of 
your  favors  of  the  twenty-firft  and  twenty-fourth,  with  their  fe- 
veral  inclofures.  The  execution  of  the  refolves  has  been  and 
will  be  attended  to  as  far  as  in  my  power. 

I  have  wiote  to  general  Schuyler  to  fend  down  as  early  as 
poirible  the  troops  in  the  northern  department  from  this  and  the 
ftate  of  Pennfylvania.  The  proportion  for  exchanging  Mr. 
Franklin  for  general  Thompfon  I  (hall  fubmit  to  general  Howe, 
as  foon  as  circumftnnces  will  allow  me. 

I  have  nothing  in  particular  to  advife  you  of,  refpecling  the 
enemy,  more  than  that  they  are  advancing  this  way.  Part  of 
them  have  paffed  the  Paffaic  •,  and  I  fuppofe  the  main  body  that 
they  have  on  this  fide  the  North-river  would  have  done  the  fame 
before  now  (as  they  are  coming  on),  had  their  progrefs  not 
been  retarded  by  the  weather  which  has  been  rainy  for  feveral 
days  paft.  I  have  fcouts  and  detachments  conftantly  out  to 
harrafs  them  and  watch  their  motions,  and  to  gain,  if  poilible, 
intelligence  of  their  deilgns. 

Colonel  Miles,  who  has  been  permitted  to  go  to  Philadel- 
phia for  a  few  days  by  general  Howe,  will  deliver.you  this,  and 
inform  you  of  the  diftreffes  of  our  prifoners,  and  the  neceiTity 
of  effecting  their  exchange  as  far  as  we  have  prifoners  to  give 
in  return. 

By  a  letter  from  the  board  of  war  on  the  fubject  of  an  ex- 
change, 


*64  GENERAL  WASHINGTON'S 

change,  they  mention  that  feveral  of  the  prifoners  in  our  nands 
have  enlilted.  It  Is  a  meafure,  I  think,  that  cannot  be  juitifted 
though  the  precedent  is  furniihed  on  the  lide  of  the  enemy :  nor 
Ho  I  conceive  it  good  in  point. of  policy.  But,  as  it  has  been 
done,  I  (hall  leave  it  with  Congrefs  to  order  them  to  be  retuni- 
cd  or  not,  as  they  (hall  judge  fit. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c.  G.    W. 


.    SIR,  JSninfwic,  November  30,    1776. 

I  HAVE  been  honored  with  your  favor  of  the  twenty- 
fixth,  and  with  its 'inclbfures,  by  which  I  perceive  the  meafures 
'  that  have  been  adopted  for  forwarding  a  reinforcement  of  malitid. 
Their  arrival  is  much  to  be  wifhed,  the  fituation  of  our  affairs 
being  truly  alarming,  and  fuch  as  demands  the  earlieft  aids.  As 
general  MifBin's  prefence  may  have  a  happy  influence  on  the 
difpofition  and  temper  of  many  of  the  aifociators,  I  fhall  not 
direct  his  return  fo  lon^  as  he  can  be  done  without,  and  till  it 
becomes  indifpenfably  neceffary. 

On  thurfday  morning  I  left  Newark,  arid  arrived  here  yelter- 
day  with  the  troops  that  were  there.  It  was  the  opinion  of  all 
the  generals  who  were  with  me,  that  a  retreat  to  this  place  was 
requifite,  and  founded  in  neceffity,  as  our  force  was  by  no  means 
•Sufficient  to  make  a  itand,  with  the  lead  probability  of  fucceis, 
againft  an  enemy  much  fuperior  in  number,  and  whofe  advanced 
guards  were  entering  the  town  by  the  time  our  rear  got  out. 
It  was  the  wiih  of  all  to  have  remained  there  longer,  and  to 
have  halted  before  we  came  thus  far  :  but,  upon  due  confidera- 
tion  of  our  flrength,  the  circumftances  attending  the  enliilment 
of  a  great  part  of  our  little  force,  and  the  frequent  advices  that 
the  enemy  were  embarking  or  about  to  embark  another  detach- 
ment for  Staten-Ifland  with  a  view  of  landing  at  Amboy  to  co- 
operate with  this,-  which  feemed  to  be  confirmed  by  the  infor- 
mation of  forne  perfons  wlio  came  from  the  ifland,  that  they 
were  collecting  and  impre  fling  all  the  waggons  they  could  find, 
- — it  was  judged  neceifary  to  proceed  till  we  came  here,  not  only 
to  prevent  their  bringing  a  farce  to  act  upon  our  front  and  rear, 
but  alfo  that  we  might  be  more  convenient  to  oppofe  any  troops 
they  might  land  at  South-Amboy,  which  many  conjectured  to 
he  an  object  they  had  in  view.  This  conjecture  too  had  pro- 
bability and  fome  advices  to  iupport  it. 

I  hoped  we  mould  have  met  with  large  and  early  fuccours  by 
.line  y   but  as  yet  no  great  number  of  the  militia  oi  this 

it  ate 


O  F  F  I  C  I  A  L   L  E  T  T  E  R  3.  265 

ftate  has  come  in  j  nor  have  I  much,  reafon  to  expect  that  any 
confiderable  aid  will  be  derived  from  the  counties  which  lie  be- 
yond this  riverj  and  in  which  the  enemy  are.  Their  lituation. 
will  prevent  it  in  a  great  meafure  from  thofe  parts  where  they 
are,  provided  the  inclinations  of  the  people  were  good.  Add- 
ed to  this,  I  have  no  afiurances  that  more  than  a  very  few  of 
the  troops  composing  the  flying  camp  will  remain  after  the  time 
of  their  engagement  is  out  :  fo  far  from  it,  I  am  told  that  fome 
of  general  Ewing's  brigade,  who  ftand  engaged  to  the  firft  of 
January,  are  now  going  away.  If  thofe  go  whofe  fervice  ex- 
pires this  day,  our  force  will  be  reduced  to  a  mere  handful. 

From  intelligence  received  this  morning,  one  divifion  of  the 
enemy  was  advanced  laft  night  as  far  as  Elizabeth-town,  and 
fome  of  their  quarter-mailers  had  proceeded  about  four  or  five 
miles  on  this  fide,  to  provide  barns,  &.c.  for  their  accommoda- 
tion. Other  accounts  fay  another  divinon,  compofed  of  Medi- 
ans, are  on  the  road  through  Springfield,  and  are  reported  to 
have  reached  that  place  laft  night.  I  do  not  know  how  far 
their  views  extend  j  but  I  doubt  notj  they  mean  to  pu(h  every 
advantage  refulting  from  the  fmall  number  and  Hate  of  our 
troops. 

I  early  began  to  forward  part  of  the  ftores  from  this  place 
towards  Philadelphia.  Many  are  gone  :  the  reft  we  are  re- 
moving, and  hope  to  fecure. 

I  am,  iir,  very  refpeclfully,  &c.  G.  W. 

P.  S.  I  have  wrote  to  governor  Livingfton,   who  is  exerthig 

himfelf  to  throw  in  every  affiftance,   and  to  have  guards  placed 

at  the  ferries  to  prevent  the  return  of  the   foldiers  who  are  not 

difcharged. 


GENTLEMEN, 


To  the  Board  of  War. 
Head-quarters,  Brunfwic,  November  30,  '1776, 


I  AM  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  favors  of  the 
eighteenth,  nineteenth,  and  twenty-third  inftant,  which,  from 
the  unfettled  iituation  of  our  affairs,  I  have  not  been  able  to  a»- 
fvver  before.  That  of  the  eighteenth  inclofes  a  lift  of  ftores 
[imported]  in  the  Hancock-and- Adams  continental  (hip,  and  car- 
ried  into  Dartmouth  in  New-England, — with  a  refolve  of  Con- 
grefs  to  deliver  the  mufkets,  powder,  lead,  amd  rlints,  to  my  or- 
der. As  the  other  articles  of  the  cargo  will  be  full  as  ufeful 

LI  to 


265  GENERAL  WASHINGTON'S 

to  the  army  as  thofe  included  in  the  refolve,  I  would  advife 
that  dire&ions  be  given  to  have  the  whole  cargo  removed  flora 
^Dartmouth  to  ibme  fecure  place  in  the  neighborhood  of  Phi- 
ladelphia, and  there  depcfited  till  called  for.  It  is  by  no  means 
proper  that  fo  great  a  quantity  of  military  {lores  Jhould  be 
lodged  with  the  army,  efpecially  at  prefent,  as  we  know  not 
to-day  where  we  fhall  be  obliged  to  remove  to-morrow :  and 
that  will  in  all  probability  be  the  cafe  while  the  enemy  conti- 
nue with  a  light  army  on  this  fide  the  North-river. 

In  anfwer  to  that  part  of  yours  of  the  nineteenth  in  which 
you  afk  my  advitc  as  to  the  propriety  of  enliiling  prifoners  of 
war,  I  would  juft  obferve,  that,  in  my  opinion,  it  Is  neither  con- 
fident with  the  rules  of  war,  nor  politic  :  nor  can  I  think,  that 
becaufe  our  enemies  have  committed  an  unjuftifiable  action,  by 
enticing,  and,  in  fome  inflances,  intimidating  our  men  in  their 
i'ervice,  we  ought  to  follow  their  example.  Before  I  had  the 
honor  of  yours  on  this  fubjecl,  I  had  determined  to  renaonflrate 
to  general  Howe  on  this  head.  As  to  thofe  few  who  have  al- 
ready enliiled,  I  would  not  have  them  again  withdrawn  and  fent 
in,  becaufe  they  might  be  iubje6ted  to  punifhment  :  but  1  would 
have  the  practice  difcontinued  in  future.  If  you  will  revert  to 
the  capitulation  of  St.  John's  and  Chamblee,  you  will  find  an 
exprefs  flipulation  againft  the  enlifting  the  prifoners  taken 
there. 

I  remarked  that  the  enliftment  of  prifoners  was  not  a  politic 
jftep  : — my  reafon  is  this,  that  in  time  cf  danger  I  have  always 
obferved  fuch  perfons  molt  backward,  for  fear  (I  fuppofe)  of 
failing  into  the  hands  of  their  former  matters,  from  whom  they 
expeft  no  mercy  :  and  this  fear  they  are  apt  to  communi- 
cate to  their  fellow-foldiers.  They  are  alfo  moil  read^r  to  de- 
fert  when  any  action  is  expected,  hoping,  by  carrying  intelli- 
gence, to  fecure  their  peace. 

I  met  captain  Heiketh  on  the  road  -,  and,  as  the  fituation  of 
his  family  did  not  admit  of  delay,  I  permitted  him  to  go  imme- 
diately to  New-York,  not  having  the  leaft  doubt  but  general 
Howe  will  make  a  retuin  of  any  officer  of  equal  rank  who  (hall 
be  required. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c.  G.   \Vr 


SIR,  Brunfwic  December  i,    1776. 

I   YESTERDAY  had  the  honor  of  writing  you,  and  to 
advife  you  of  our  arrival  here.     I  am  now  to  inform  you  that 


OFFICIAL     LETTERS. 

the  enemy  are  ftill  advancing,  and  that  their  van-guard  had 
proceeded  as  far  as  Bonem,  a  imall  town  about  four  miles  this 
fide  of  Woodbridge,  according  to  my  laft  intelligence.  As  to 
their  number,  reports  are  various.  Some  fay  they  were  joined 
yefterday  by  a  confiderable  reinforcement  from  Statcn-Ifland. 
How  far  this  fact  may  be  true,  I  cannot  determine :  but,  from 
every  information,  before,  they  were  between  fix  and  feven 
thoufand  ftrong. 

I  have  for  fome  time  pail  fuppofed  Philadelphia  to  be  the  ob- 
ject of  their  movement,  and  have  every  reafon  to  believe  my 
opinion  well  founded, — the  advices  of  fundry  pcrfons,  who  have 
had  an  opportunity  of  mixing  and  convening  with  them  on  the 
march,  agreeing  that  fuch  is  the  report.  I  have  wrote  to  go- 
vernor Livingilon  upon  the  fubjeft,  requeuing  his  utmoft  exer^. 
tions  to  forward  on  every  fuccour  in  his  power.  The  fame,  I 
truft,  will  be  attended  to  in  Pennfylvania.  Without  a  fufficient 
number  of  men  and  arms,  their  progrefs  cannot  be  checked  : — 
at  prefent  our  force  is  totally  inadequate  to  any  attempt. 

Several  officers  .belonging  to  the  enemy,  who  were  prifcners, 
have  obtained  permiffion  to  return.  I  have  not  yet  fent  in  the 
names  of  thofe  belonging  to  us,  that  are  to  be  exchanged  for 
them.  By  a  Virginia  paper,  I  perceive  that  captain  Morgan 
and  lieutenant  Heath,  who  were  taken  prifoners  at  Quebec, 
and  now  on  parole,  are  promoted  in  the  late  arrangement  of 
oiBcers  in  that  itate,— the  former  to  a  regiment,  the  latter  to  a 
majority.  It  would  be  well  if  they  were  releafed :  but,  bein^ 
Virginians,  and  not  knowing  that  any  gentlemen  who  were  taken 
at  the  fame  time  are  fo  circumflanced,  I  have  declined  claimin^ 
their  return  without  the  opinion  of  Congrefs,  -left  I  fliould  incur 
the  charge  cf  partiality. 

I  have  fent  forward  colonel  Humpton  to  collect  proper  boats 
and  crafts  at  the  ferry,  for  tranfporting  our  troops:  and  it  will 
be  of  infinite  importance  to  have  every  other  craft,  beiides  what 
he  takes  for  the  above  purpofe,  fecured  on  the  wed  fide  of  De- 
laware :  othenvife  they  may  fall  into  the  enemy's  hands  and  fa- 
cilitate their  views. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c.  G.  W. 

P.  S.  Half  after  one  o^clock,  P.  M. — The  enemy  are  faft 
advancing:  fome  of  them  are  now  in  fight.  All  the  men  of  the 
Jerfey  flying  camp  under  general  Heard,  being  applied  to,  hav£ 
refufed  to  continue  longer  in  fervice. 


268  GENERAL  WASHINGTON'S 

* 
SIR,  December  I,    1776,  half  after  feven,  P.  M. 

IN  a  little  time  after  I  wrote  you  this  evening,  the  enemy 
appeared  in  feveral  parties  on  the  heights  oppofite  Brunfwic, 
and  were  advancing  in  a  large  body  towards  the  croffing-place. 
We  had  a  fmart  cannonade  whilft  we  were  parading  our  men, 
but  without  any  or  but  little  lofs  on  either  fide.  It  being  im- 
poflible  to  oppcfe  them  with  our  prefent  force  with  the  Jeaft 
profpeft  of  fuccefs,  we  fhall  retreat  to  the  weft  fide  of  Dela- 
ware (and  have  advanced  about  eight  miles)  where  it  is  hoped 
•we  fhall  meet  a  reinforcement  fufficient  to  check  their  progress. 
I  have  fent  colonel  Humpton  forward  to  collect  the  necelFary 
boats  for  our  tranfpoitation,  and  conceive  it  proper  that  the 
militia  from  Pennfylvania  fhould  be  ordered  towards  Trenton, 
that  they  may  be  ready  to  join  us,  and  act  as  occafion  may  re- 
quire. 

I  am,  fir,  your  moft  obedient  fervant,  G.  W. 

P.  S.  1  wifh  my  letters  of  yeiterday  may  arrive  fafe,  being 
informed  that  the  return  expreis  who  had  them  was  idling  his 
time,  and  (hewing  them,  on  the  road. 


SIR,  Princeton,  December  2,   1776. 

I  ARRIVED  here  this  morning  with  our  troops  between 
eight  and  nine  o'clock,  when  I  received  the  honor  of  your  let- 
ter of  the  firit,  with  its  inclofures. 

When  the  enemy  firfl  landed  on  this  fide  the  North-river,  I 
apprehended  that  they  meant  to  make  a  pufh  this  way  -,  and 
knowing  that  the  force  which  I  had  was  not  fufficient  to  oppofe 
them,  I  wrote  to  general  Lee  to  crofs  with  the  feveial  conti- 
nental regiments  in  his  divifion,  and  hoped  he  would  have  ar- 
rived before  now. — By  fome  means  or  other  he  has  been  delay- 
ed.— I  fuppofe  he  has  paffed  the  river,  as  his  letter  of  the 
twenty- fixth1  ultimo  mentioned  that  he  had  marched  a  brigade 
the  day  before,  and  fhould  follow  the  next  himfelf.  The  re- 
mainder of  the  troops  I  conceived  neceffary  to  guard  the  ieve- 
xal  paffes  through  the  Highlands  ;  nor  do  I  think  they  can  be 
called  from  thence.  Their  number  is  very  fmall,  being  reduced 
to  very  few  by  the  departure  of  the  troops  who  flood  engaged 
till  the  thirtieth  ultimo. 

«  I  underltand  there  are  now  at  Briflol  feveral   prifoners.     As 
their  exchange  at  this  time  cannot  be    effected   with    propriety, 
J  thinK,  it  will  be  neceffary,  under  the  prefent   fituatior.  of  af- 
fairs, 


OFFICIAL     LETTERS.  269 

•fairs,  f!b  have  them  removed  immediately  to  fome  more  interior 
place,  upon  their  paroles.  li  they  remain,  they  may  be  of  in- 
finite difadvantage. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c.  G.  W. 

\0n  the  outjide  of  the  foregoing  letter,  which  is,  as  ufual,  ad- 
dre/fedto  the  prejident  of  Congrefe,  apppears  the  following  line, 
to  Mr.  Peters,  Jecretary  to  the  board  of 


SIR,  difpatch  an  exprefs  immediately,  to  have  the  prifoners 
at  Briilol  removed.  R.  H.  HARRISON. 


SIR,  Head-quarters,   Trenton,  Dec.  3,   1776. 

I  ARRIVED  here  myfelf  yefterday  morning  with  the 
main  body  of  the  army,  having  left  lord  Stirling  with  two  bri- 
gades at  Princeton  and  that  neighborhood,  to  watch  the  moti- 
ons of  the  enemy,  and  give  notice  of  their  approach.  I  am  in- 
formed that  they  had  not  entered  Brunfwio  yeiterday  morning 
at  nine  o'clock,  but  were  on  the  oppcfite  fide  of  the  Rariton. 

Immediately  on  my  arrival  here,  1  ordered  the  removal  of* 
all  the  military  and  other  itores  and  baggage  over  the  Dela- 
ware :  a  great  quantity  are  already  got  ovei  j  and  as  foon  as 
boats  come  up  from  Philadelphia,  we  iliall  load  them  j  by  which 
means  J  hope  to  have  every  thing  lecured  this  night  and  to- 
morrow, if  we  are  not  diiturbed.  After  being  difencumbered 
(if  my  baggage  and  itores,  my  future  lituation  will  depend  en- 
tirely upon  circumiiances. 

I  have  not  heard  a  word  from  general  Lee  iince  the  twenty- 
fixth  of  latt  month  5  which  lurpriies  me  not  a  little,  as  1  have 
difpatched  daily  expreffes  to  him,  deihing  to  know  when  I 
might  look  for  him..  This  makes  me  fearful  that  my  letters 
have  not  reached  him.  I  am  informed  by  report  that  general 
St.  Clair  has  joined  him  with  three  or  four  regiments  from  the 
northward.  To  know  the  truth  of  this,  and  alib  when  I  may 
expect  him,  and  with  what  numbers,  I  have  this  minute  dif- 
patched colonel  Steward  (general  Oates's  aid-de-camp)  to  meet 
general  Lee  and  bring  me  an  account. 

I  look  out  earnefcly  for  the  reinforcement  from  Philadelphia. 
I  arn  in  hopes,  that,  if  we  can  draw  a  good  head  of  men  toge- 
ther, it  will  give  fpirits  to  the  militia  of  this  Hate,  wiio  have 
as  yet  afforded  me  little  or  no  afliilance  j  nor  can  I  find  they 
are  likely  to  do  much. 

General 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON'S 

General  Heard  jufl  informs  me  that  a  perfon,  on  whofe  ve- 
racity he  can  depend,  has  reported  to  him  that  on  funday  lafi 
lie  counted  a  hundred  and.  feventeen  fail  of  (hips  going  out  of 
the  Hook.  You  may  depend  upon  being  advifed  inftantly  of 
any  further  movement  in  the  enemy's  army  or  mine. 

J  have  the  honor  to  be,  &:c.  G.  W. 


SIR,  Trenton,  December  4,   1776. 

SINCE  I  had  the  honor  of  addreffing  you  yefterday,  I 
received  a  letter  from  general  Lee.  On  the  thirtieth  ultimo 
he  was  at  Peeklkill,  and  expe&ed  to  pafs  the  river  with  his  di- 
viiion  two  days  after.  From  this  intelligence  you  will  readily 
conclude  that  he  will  not  be  able  to  afford  us  any  aid  for  feve- 
•ral  days.  The  report  of  general  St.  Glair's  having  joined  them 
with  three  or  four  regiments,  I  believe  to  be  altogether  prema- 
ture, as  he  mentions  nothing  of  it.  It  has  arifen,  as  I  am  in- 
formed, from  the  return  of  forae  of  the  Jerfey  and  Pennfylvania 
troops  from  Tyconderoga,  whofe  time  of  lervice  is  expired. 
They  have  reached  Pluckemin  where  I  have  wrote  to  have 
them  halted  and  kept  together,  if  they  can  be  prevailed  on, 
till  further  orders. 

The  inclofed  is  a  copy  of  a  letter  which  came  to  hand  lad 
night  from  major  Clark,  to  which  I  beg  leave  to  refer  you  for 
the  intelligence  it  contains. — The  number  of  the  enemy  (aid  to 
b-j  embarked  is  fuppofed  to  be  rather  exaggerated,  i  hat  there 
has  been  an  embarkation,  is  not  to  be  doubted,  it  being  con- 
firmed through  various  channels.  By  colonel  GiifBn,  who  went 
from  Brunfwic  on  funday  morning  with  a  captain  Sims,  to  pafs 
I;.im  by  our  guards,  and  who  was  detained  by  lord  Cornwallis 
till  monday  evening,  on  account  of  his  lituation,  the  amount  of 
general  Clinton's  force,  from  what  he  could  coilecl:  from  the 
officers,  was  about  fix  thoufand  :  as  to  their  deftination,  he 
could  not  obtain'  the  leaft  information.  By  him  I  alfo  learn  the 
enemy  were  in  Brunfwic,  and  that  fome  of  their  advanced  par- 
ties had  proceeded  two  miles  on  this  iide.  The  heavy  rain  that 
has  fallen  has  probably  checked  their  progrefs,  and  may  prevent 
their  further  movement  for  fome  time. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be    &c.  G.  W. 


OFFICIAL    LETTERS.  2-t 

To  Richard  Peters,  Efquire,  Secretary  to  the  Board  of  War. 

SIR,  Head-quarters^   Trenton,  Dec.  4,   1776. 

YOURS  of  the  twentieth  of  laft  month  was  delivered  to- 
me by  the  brigadier  La  Roche  de  Fermoy,  who  is  now  here, 
but  unable  to  render  me  that  fervice,  which,  I  dare  fay,  from 
his  character,  he  would,  were  he  better  acquainted  with  our 
language. 

I  yefterday  received  a  letter  from  you  without  a  date,  men- 
tioning that  the  prifoners  from  York-town  were  directed  to  halt 
at  Newtown  for  my  orders.  On  hearing  they  were  there,  I 
fent  colonel  Moylan  to  conduft  them,  and  the  prifoners  from 
Reading,  who  arrived  nearly  at  the  fame  time,  over  towards 
Brunfwic,  and  deliver  them  in. 

I  hope  you  have  not  fent  captain  Price,  lieutenant  Peacock, 
and- major  Campbell,  on  to  this  place,  as- it  is  highly  Improper 
they  ihould  fee  and  know  the  fituation  of  our  array  here  and  at 
Princeton.  They  had  better  be  fent  up,  under  the  care  of  fome 
perfon,  to  Newtown  or  that  neighborhood,  and  there  wait  ther 
arrival  of  fome  larger  party,  who,  I  imagine,  will  be  foon  for- 
warded from  Lancafter,  and  go  in  with  theln. 

Lieutenant  Symes  came  over  to  me  at  Brunfwic  from  Beth- 
lehem without  the  leaft  guard  or  efcort  •,  and  a  lieutenant  of  the 
feventh  regiment  went  through  our  whole  army,  and  wtis  at  laft 
difcovered  by  a  mere  accident.  He  had  a  pais  from  the  coun- 
cil of  fafety,  and  that  was  all.  Such  an  irregular  mode  of  fuf- 
fering  prifoners  to  go  in  alone  muft  be  put  a  itop  to,  or  the  ene- 
my will  be  as  well  acquainted  with  our  fit  nation  as  we  are  our- 
felves.  If  they  are  left  at  liberty  to  chufe  their  own  route, 
they  will  always  take  that  through  our  army,  for  reafons  t(3o 
obvious  to  mention. 

I  am,  fir,  your  moft  obedient  fervant,  G.  W. 

I  have  been  obliged  to  fend  down  a  number  of  our  iick  to 
Philadelphia,  to  make  room  for  the  troops,  and  to  remove 
them  out  of  the  way.  Be  pleafed  to  have  fome  care  taken  to 
have  them  properly  accommodated.  I  mould  think  part  of  the 
Houfe-of-employment  might  be  procured  for  that  purpofe.  I 
have  fent  down  an  officer  from  each  regiment,  and  a  furgeon's 
mate,  if  they  can  be  fpared  :  but  I  hope  they  will  not  want  the 
afliftance  of  the  vifiting  phylicians  of  the  hofpital. 


27*  GENERAL  WASHINGTON'S 

SIR,  Trenton,  December  5,   1776. 

AS  nothing  but  necefiity  obliged  me  to  retire  before  the  ' 
enemy  and  leave  fo  much  of  the  jerfeys  unprotected,  I  conceive 
k  my  duty,  and  it  correfponds  with  my  inclination,  to  make 
head  againft  them  fo  foon  as  there  (hall  be  the  leal!  probability 
of  doing  it  with  propriety.  That  the  country  might  in  fome 
meafure  be  covered,  I  left  two  brigades  confiding  o£  the  five 
Virginia  regiments  and  that  of  Delaware,  containing  in  the 
J.e  about  twelve  hundred  men  fit  for  duty,  under  the  com- 
mand of  lord  Stirling  and  general  Stephen,  at  Princeton,  till 
the  baggage  and  ftores  could  crofs  the  Delaware,  or  the  troops 
undet  their  refpeclive  commands  fhould  be  forced  from  thence. 
I  (hall  now,  having  removed  the  gieateil  part  of  the  above  ar- 
ticles, face  about  with  fuch  troops  as  are  here  fit  for  fervice, 
and  march  back  to  Princeton,  and  there  govern  myfelf  by  cir- 
.cumilances  and  the  movements  of  general  Lee.  At  any  event, 
.the  enemy's  progrefs  may  be  retarded  by  this  means,  if  they 
intend  to  come  on,  and  the  people's  fears  in  fome  meafure  qui- 
eted, if  they  do  not.  Sorry  I  am  to  obferve,  howrever,  that 
.the  frequent  calls  upon  the  militia  of  this  (late,  the  want  of  ex- 
ertion in  the  principal  gentlemen  of  the  country,  or  a  fatal  fu- 
pinenefs  and  infenfibility  of  danger  till  it  is  too  late  to  prevent 
an  evil  that  was  not  only  foreieen  but  foretold,  have  been  the 
caufes  of  our  late  difgraces. 

If  the  militia  of  this  flate  had  ftepped  forth  in  feafon  (and 
timely  notice  they  had),  we  might  have  prevented  the  enemy's 
eroding  the  Hackinfac,  although  without  fome  previous  notice 
of  the  time  and  place  it  was  impoiiible  to  have  done  tliis^at  the 
North-river.  We  might  with  equal  probability  of  fuccefs  hare 
made  a  ftand  at  Brunfwic  on  the  Rnriton.  But  as  both  thefe 
rivers  were  fordable  in  a  variety  of  places  (knee-deep  only),  it 
required  many  men  to  defend  the  paiTes  -,  and  thefe  we  had  not. 
At  Hackinfac  our  force  was  infufficient,  becaufe  a  part  was  at 
Elizabeth-town,  Amboy,  and  Brunfwic,  guarding  a  coalt  which 
I  thought  moft  expofed  to  danger  -,  and  at  Brunfwic,  becaufe  I 
was  difappointed  in  my  expectation  of  militia,  and  becaufe  on 
the  day  of  the  enemy's  approach  (and  probably  the  occafion  of 
it)  the  term  of  the  Jerfey  and  Maryland  brigades'  fervice 
expired;  neither  of  which  would  confent  to  flay  an  hour  lou- 

*^\ 

Theft,  among  ten  thoufand  other  inftances,  might  be  adduced 

to  ihew  the  difadvantages  of  fhort  enlifiments,  and  the  little  de- 
pendence upon  militia  in  times  of  real  danger.     But,  as  yefter- 

day 


OFFICIAL    LETTERS.  273 

day  cannot  be  recalled,  I  will  not  dwell  upon  a  fubject  which, 
no  doubt,  has  given  much  uneafinefs  to  Congrefs,  as  well  as  ex- 
treme pain  and  anxiety  to  myfelf.  My  fit-It  wifh  is  that  Con- 
grsfsmay  be  convinced  of  the  impropriety  of  relying  upon  the 
militia,  and  of  the  neceffity  of  raifing  a  larger  Handing  army* 
than  what  they  have  voted.  The  faving  in  the  articles  of  {lores, 
proviiions,  and  in  a  thoufand  other  things,  by  having  nothing  to 
do  with  the  militia  unlefs  in  cafe  of  extraordinary  exigency, 
and  fuch  as  could  not'  be  expected  in  the  common  courfe  of 
events,  would  amply  fupport  a  large  army,  which,  well  officered, 
would  be  daily  improving,  inftead  of  continuing  a  deilructive, 
expenflve,  and  diforderly  mob. 

I  am  clear  in  opinion,  that,  if  forty  thoufand  men  had  been 
kept  in  conftant  pay  fince  the  firft  commencement  of  hoftilities, 
and  the  militia  had  been  excufed  doing  duty  daring  that  period, 
the  continent  would  have  faved  money.  When  I  reflect  on  the 
loffes  we  have  fuftained  for  want  of  good  troops,  the  certainty 
of  this  is  placed  beyond  a  doubt  of  my  mind.  In  fuch  cafe, 
the  militia,  who  have  been  harraffed  and  tired  by  repeated  calls 
upon  them  (and  farming  and  manufactures  in  a  manner  fufpend- 
ed),  would,  uppn  any  prerTmg  emergency,  have  ran  with  ala- 
crity to  arms  j  whereas  the  cry  now  is,  "  they  may  be  as  well 
ruined  one  way  as  another  j"  and  with  difficulty  they  are  ob- 
tained. 

I  mention  thefe  things,  to  ihew,  that,  in  my  opinion,  if  any 
dependence  is  placed  in  the  militia  another  year,  Congrefs  will 
be  deceived.  When  danger  is  a  little  removed  from  them, 
they  will  not  turn  out  at  all.  When  it  comes  home  to  them, 
the  well-affected,  inilead  of  flying  to  arms  to  defend  themfelves, 
are  bufily  employed  in  removing  their  families  and  effects, — 
v/hilll  the  difaffected  are  concerting  meafures  to  make  their  fub- 
miiTion,  and  fpread  terror  and  difmay  all  around,  to  induce 
others  to  follow  the  example. — Daily  experience  and  abundant 
proofs  warrant  this  information. 

I  (hall  this  day  reinforce  lord  Stirling  with  about  twelve  hun- 
dred men,  which  will  make  his  number  about  two  thoufand  four 
hundred.  To-morrow  I  mean  to  repair  to  Princeton  myfelf, 
and  (hall  order  the  Pennfylvania  troops  (who  are  not  yet  arriv- 
ed, except  part  of  the  German  battalion  and  a  company  of 
light  infantry)  to  the  fame  place. 

By  my  lail  advices,  the  enemy  are  (till  at  Bruiifwic  ;  and  the 
account  .adds  that  general  Howe  was  expected  at  Elizabeth- 
town  with  a  reinforcement,  to  erect  the  king's  ftaadarid,'  and 
demand  a  labmiiTion  of  this  fiate.  I  can  only  give  this  as  a  re- 

M  ra  port 


274  GENERAL  WASHINGTON'S 

port   brought   from  the   enemy's  camp  by  fome  of  the  country 
people. — i  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c.  G.   W. 


SIR,  Trenton ,  December  6,   1776. 

I  HAVE  not  received  any  intelligence  of  the  enemy's 
movements  fince  my  letter  of  yeflerday.  From  every  informa- 
tion, they  ftill  remain  at  Brunfwic,  except  fome  of  their  par 
ties  who  are  advanced  a  fmall  diftance  on  this  fide.  To-day 
I  ihall  fet  out  for  Princeton  myfelf,  unlefs  fomething  fhculd  cc- 
cur  to  prevent  me,  which  I  do  not  expert. 

By  a  letter  of  the  fourteenth  ultimo  from  a  Mr.  Caldwall,  a. 
clergyman,  and  a  ftaunch  friend  to  the  caufe,  who  has  fi-ed  from 
Elizabeth-town,  and  taken  refuge  in  the  mountains  about  ten 
miles  from  hence,  I  am  informed  that  general  or  lord  Howe 
was  expected  in  that  town  to  publifh  pardon  and  peace.  His 
words  are,  *'  I  have  not  feen  his  proclamation,  but  can  only  fay 
he  gives  fixty  days  of  grace,  and  pardons  from  the  Congrefs 
down  to  the  committee.  No  one  man  in  the  continent  is  to  be 
denied  his  mercy. — In  the  language  of  this  good  man,  the  lord 
deliver  us  from  his  mercy  ! 

Your  letter,  of  the  third,  by  mojor  Livingfton,  was  duly  re- 
ceived. Before  it  came  to  hand,  1  had  wrote  to  general  Howe 
abcrut  governor  Franklin's  exchange,  but  am  not  certain  whe- 
ther the  letter  could  not  be  recovered.  1  difpatched  a  meflen- 
ger  inftantly  for  that  purpofe. 

1  have  the  honor  to  be,  &.c.  G.   W, 


SIR,  Mr.  Berkley'1  s  Summer  Scat,  Dec.  8,   1776, 

COLONEL  Reed  would  inform  you  of  the  intelligence 
which  I  firft  met  with  on  the  road  from  Trenton  to  Piincetcn 
yefterday.  Before  I  got  to  the  latter,  I  received  a  fecond  ex- 
jirefs  informing  me,  that  as  the  enemy  wrere  advancing  by  dif- 
ferent routes,  and  attempting  by  one  to  get  in  the  rear  of  our 
troops  \vhich  were  there  (and  whofe  numbers  were  fmall,  and 
the  place  by  no  means  defeniible),  they  had  judged  it  prudent 
to  retreat  to  Trenton.  The  retreat  was  accordingly  made,  and 
fince  to  this  fide  of  the  liver. 

This  information  I  thought  it  my  duty  to  communicate  as 
foon  as  poflible,  as  there  is  not  a  moment's  time  to  be  loft  in 
affembling  fuch  force  as  can  be  collected  j  and  as  the  object  of 

llic 


OFFICIAL    LETTERS.  275 

the  enemy  cannot  now  be  doubted  in  the  fmalleft  degree.  In- 
deed I  mall  be  out  in  my  conjecture  (for  it  is  only  conjecture) 
If  the  late  embar cation  at  New- York  is  not  for  Delaware  river, 
to  co-operate  with  the  army  under  the  immediate  command  of 
general  Howe,  who  I  am  informed  from  good  authority,  is  with 
the  Britifh  troops  and  his  xvhole  force  upon  this  route. 

I  have  no  certain  intelligence  of  general  Lee,  although  I 
have  fent  frequent  exprefies  to  him,  and  lately  a  colonel  Hump- 
ton  to  bring  me  fome  accurate  accounts  of  his  fituation.  I  laft 
night  difpatched  another  gentleman  to  him  (major  Hoops)  de- 
firing  he  would  haften  his  march  to  the  Delaware,  in  which  I 
would  provide  boats  near  a  place  called  Alexandria,  for  the  tranf- 
portation  of  his  troops. — I  cannot  account  for  the  ilownefs  of 
his  march. 

In  the  difordered  and  moving  ftate  of  the  army,  I  cannot  get 
returns  :  but,  from  the  beft  accounts,  we  had  between  three 
thoufand  and  three  thoufand  five  hundred  men,  before  the 
Philadelphia  militia  and  German  battalion  arrived  : — they 
amount  to  about  two  thoufand. 

I  have  the  honor  to  ber  &c.  G.  W. 


SIR,  Head-Quarters,   Trenton  Tails,  Dec.  9,   1776". 

I  DID  myfclf  the  honor  of  writing  to  you  yefterday,  and 
Informing  you  that  I  had  removed  the  troops  to  this  fide  of  the 
Delaware.  Soon  after,  the  enemy  made  their  appearance,  and 
their  van  entered  juft  as  our  rear  guard  quitted.  We  had  re- 
moved all  our  ilores,  except  a  few  boards. — From  the  bell  in- 
formation, they  are  in  two  bodies,  one  at  and  near  Trenton,  the 
other  fome  miles  higher  up,  and  inclining  towards  Delaware  ; 
but  whether  jvith  intent  to  crofs  the're,  or  throw  themfelves 
between  general  Lee  and  me,  is  yet  uncertain. 

I  have  this  morning  detached  lord  Stirling  with  his  brigade, 
to  take  pod  at  the  different  landing-places,  and  prevent  them 
from  ftealing  a  march  upon  us  from  above  j  for  I  am  informed, 
if  they  crofs  at  Coryel's  ferry  or  thereabouts,  they  are  as  near 
to  Philadelphia,  as  we  are  here.  From  feveral  accounts  I  am 
led  to  think  that  the  enemy  are  bringing  boats  with  them  :  if 
fo,  it  will  be  impoflible  for  our  fmali  force  to  give  them  any 
confiderable  oppofition  in  the  paffage  of  the  river,  [as  they 
may]  make  a  feint  at  one  place,  and,  by  a  fudden  removal,  car- 
ry their  boats  higher  or  lower  before  we  can  bring  our  cannon 
to  play  upon  them. 

Under 


2*6  GENERAL  WASHINGTON'S 

Under  tliefe  circnmftances,  the  feeurity  of  Philadelphia  mould 
be  our  next  object. — From  my  own  remembrance,  but  more 
.from  information  (for  I.  never  viewed  the  groun^l),  I  ihould 
think  that  a  communication  of  lines  and  redoubts  might  foon  be 
•formed  from  the  Delaware  to  Schuylkill  on  the  north  entrance 
of  the  city,  the  lin.es  to'begin  on  the  Schuylkill  fide,  about  the 
heights  of  Springatebury,  and  run  eaftward  to  Delaware,  upon 
the^mofi;  advantageous  and  commanding  grounds.  If  fomething 
of  this  kind  is  not  done,  the  enemy  might,  in  cafe  any  misfortune 
fhould  befal  us,  march  directly  in,  and  take  poffeiTion.  We 
have  ever  found  that  lines,  however  flight,  ate  very  formidable 
to  them  :  they  would  at  lead  give  a  check  till  people  could  re- 
cover of  the  fright  and  conrlernation  that  naturally  attends  the 
firft  appearance  of  an  enemy, 

In  the  mean  time  every  ftep  ihould  be  taken  to  collecl  force, 
liot  only  from  Pennfylvania,  but  from  the  mod  neighborly 
ftates.  If  we  can  keep  the  enemy  from  entering  Philadelphia, 
and  keep  the  communication  by  water  open  for  fupplies,  \ve 
may  yet  make  a  iland,  if  the  country  will  come  to  our  afliftance 
till  our  new  levies  can  be  collected. 

If  the  meafure  of  fortifying  the  city  ihould  be  adopted,  fome 
fkilful  perfon  fhould  immediately  view  the  grounds,  and  begin 
to  trace  out  the  lines  and  works.  I  am  informed  there  is  a 
French  engineer  of  eminence  in  Philadelphia  at  this  time  :  if 
fo,  he  will  be  the  moil  proper. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,   &c.  G.  W. 

P.  S.  I  have  jufl  received  the  inclofed  from  general  Heath. 
— General  Miffiin  is  this  moment  come  up,  and  tells  me  that 
all  the  military  {lores  yet  remain,  in  Philadelphia.  This  makes 
the  immediate  fortifying  of  the  city  fo  ntceffary,  that  I  have 
ciefired  general  Mifflin  to  return  to  take  charge  of  the  (lores, 
and  have  ordered  major-general  Putnam  immediately  down  to 
fuperintencl  the  works  and  give  the  neceiTary  diredi< 


tions. 


SIR,         Hftidi^nartirs,  Falls  of  Delaware,  Dec.  jo,   1776. 


SINCE  I  had  the  honor  of  addrefling  you  yefterday,  no- 
thing  of  importance  lias  occurred.  —  In  refpecl  to  the  enemy's 
movements,  I  have  obtained  no  other  information  than  that 
they  have  a  number  of  parties  patrolling  up  and  down  the  river, 
particularly  above.  As  yet  they  have  "not  attempted  to  pafs  ; 
nor  do  any  of  their  patrolcs,  though  fome  are  exceeding  fmall, 

with  the  kaft  interruption  from  the  inhabitants  of  fcrfey. 

Py 


OFFICIAL     LETTERS.  477- 

By  a  letter  received  laft  night  from  general  Lee,  of  the 
eighth  inftant,  he  was  then  at  Morriftown,  where  he  entertained 
thoughts  of  eilabliming  a  poft  :  bat,  on  receiving  my  difpatches 
by  major  Hoops,  I  mould  fuppofe  he  would  be  convinced  of 
the  neceility  of  his  proceeding  this  way  with  all  the  force  he 
can  bring. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c.  G.    W. 

P.  S.  Nine  o^clocl',  A.  M. — I  this  minute  received  informa- 
tion that  the  enemy  were  preparing  the  bridges  three  or  four 
miles  below  Trenton  j  which  ieems  to  indicate  an  intention  of 
their  palling  lower  down,  and  fuggefts  to  me  the  neceffity  that 
fome  attention  mould  be  had  to  the  fort  at  Billingfport,  leil 
they  mould  poflefs  themfelves  of  it  $  the  confideration  of  which 
I  beg  leave  to  fubmit  to  Congrefs. — I  have  wrote  to  the  coun- 
cil of  fafety  on  the  fubje<5t. 


SIR,          Head-quarters^  Falls  of  D elaware,  Dec.   ir,    1776. 

AFTER  I  had  wrote  you  yefterday,  I  received  cirtain  in- 
formation that  the  enemy,  after  repairing  Crofwix's  bridge,  had 
advanced  a  party  of  about  five  hundred  to  Bordentown.  By 
their  taking  this  route,  it  confirms  me  in  my  opinion,  that  they 
have  an  intention  to  land  between  this  and  Philadelphia,  as  well 
as  above,  if  they  can  procure  boats  for  that  purpofe. 

I  laft  night  directed  commodore  Seymour  to  ftation  all  his 
gallies  between  Bordentown  and  Philadelphia,  to  give  the  ear- 
lieft  intelligence  of  any  appearance  of  the  enemy  on  the  Jerfey 
more. 

I  yefterday  rode  up  the  river  about  eleven  miles,  to  lord 
Stirling's  poft,  where  I  found  a  prifoner  of  the  forty-fecond  re- 
giment who  had  been  juft  brought  in.  He  informed  me  that 
lord  Cornwallis  was  at  Pennytown  with  two  battalions  of  gre- 
nadiers, and  three  of  light  infantry,  all  Britiih,  the  Heffian 
grenadiers,  the  foity-fecond  Higland  regiment,  and  two  other 
battalions,  the  names-of  w^hich  he  did  not  remember.  He  knew 
nothing  of  the  rcafons  of  their  being  affembled  there,  nor  what 
were  their  future  intentions.  But  I  laft  night  received  informa- 
tion from  lord  Stirling,  which  had  been  brought  in  by  his 
fcouts,  which  in  fome  meafure  accounted  for  their  being  there. 
They  had  made  a  forced  march  from  Tienton  onfunday  night, 
to  Coryel's  ferry,  in  hopes  of  furprifmg  a  fufficient  number  of 
boats  to  tranfport  them  ;  but,  finding  themfelves  difappointed, 
had  marched  back  to  Pennytown,  where  they  remained  yefter- 

day. 


273  GENERAL  WASHINGTON'S 

dUy.  From  their  feveral  attempts  to  feize  boats,  it  does  not 
look  as  if  they  «had  brought  any  with  them,  as  I  was  at  one 
time  informed.  I  laft  night1' Tent  a  perfon  over  to  Trenton,  to 
learn  whether  there  was  any  appearance  of  building  any  :  but 
k.i  could  not  perceive  any  preparations  for  a  work  of  that  kind; 
To  that  I  am  in  hopes,  if  proper  care  is  taken  to  keep  all  the 
craft  out  of  their  way,  they  will  find  the  crofTing  Delaware  a 
matter  of  conliderable  difficulty. 

I  received  another  letter  from  general  Lee  lad  evening  :  it 
was  dated  at  Chatham  (which  1  take  to  be  near  Morriftown) 
the  eighth  of  this  month.  He  had  then  received  my  letter 
fant  by  major  Hoops,  but  feemed  Hill  inclined  to  hang  upon 
the  enemy's  rear,  to  which  I  mould  have  no  objection,  had  I  a 
{ufficient  force  to  oppofs  them  in  front  :  but  as  i  have  not  at 
prefent,  nor  do  I  fee  much  probability  of  further  reinforcement, 
I  have  wrote  to  him  in  the  moft  preffing  terms,  to  join  me  with 
all  expedition. 

Major  Shelden,  who  commands  the  volunteer  horfe  from 
Connecticut,  waits  upon  Congrefs  to  eftablim  fome  mode  of 
pay.  I  can  only  fay  that  the  fervice  of  himfelf  and  his  troop 
has  been  fuch  as  merits  the  warmeft  thanks  of  the  public,  and 
deferves  a  handfome  corapenfation  for  their  trouble.  Whate- 
ver is  fettled  now,  will  fetve  for  a  precedent  in  future. — From 
the  experience  I  have  had,  this  campaign,  of  the  utility  of 
horfe,  I  am  convinced  there  is  no  carrying  on  the  war  without 
them  ;  and  1  would  therefore  recommend  the  eftabliihment  of 
one  or  more  corps  (in  proportion  to  the  number  of  foot)  in  ad- 
dition to  thofe  already  raifed  in  Virginia.  If  major  Shelden 
would  undertake  the  command  of  a  regiment  of  horfe  on  the 
continental  eftablilhment,  I  believe  he  could  very  foon  raife 
them  -,  and  1  can  recommend  him  as  a  man  of  activity  and  fpi- 
rit,  from  what  I  have  feen  of  him. 

f  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c.  G.  W. 


SIR,  Trenton  Fal/s,  December  12,   1776. 

I  LAST  night  received  the  favor  of  Mr.  Thompfon's 
letter  incloiing  the  proceedings  of  Congrefs,  of  the  eleventh 
inftant. — As  the  publication  of  their  refolve,  in  my  opinion, 
will  not  lead  to  any  good  end,  but,  on  the  contrary,  may  be  at- 
tended with  fome  bad  confequences,  I  (hall  take  the  liberty  to 
decline  inferring  it  in  this  day's  orders.  I  am  perfuaded,  if 
t!ie  fubjecl  is  taken  up  and  reconlidered,  that  Congrefs  will 

concur 


OFFICIAL     LETTERS.  27^ 

concur  with  me  in  fentiment.  I  doubt  not  but  there  are  feme 
who  have  propagated  the  report,  but  what  if  they  have  r — 
Their  remaining  in  or  leaving  Philadelphia  muft  be  governed 
by  circumilances  and  events.  If  their  departure  ihould  become 
neceflary,  it  will  be  right  :  on  the  oth^er  hand,  if  there  ihould 
not  be  a  neceffity  for  it,  they  will  remain,  and  their  continue 
ance  will  (hew  the  report  to  be  the  production  of  calumny  and 
falfehood.  In,  a  word,  fir,  I  conceive  it  a  matter  that  may  be 
as  well  difregarded  •,  and  that  the  removal  or  flaying  of  Con- 
grefs,  depending  entirely  upon  events,  mould  not  have  been  the 
fabject  of  a.refolve. 

The  intelligence  we  obtain  refpecling  the  movements  and  £- 
tuation  of  the  enemy  is  far  from  being  fo  certain  and  fatisfac- 
tory  as  I  could  wifh,  though  every  probable  means  in  my  pow- 
er, and  that  I  can  devife,  are  adopted  for  that  purpofe.  The 
lateft  I  have  received  was  from  lord  Stirling  lail  night.  He 
fays  that  two  grenadiers  of  the  Inniikillen  regiment,  who  were 
taken  and  brought  in  by  fome  countrymen,  inform  that  gene- 
rals Howe,  Corn wallis,  Vaughan,  &c.  with  about  fix  thoufand 
of  the  flying  army,  were  at  Pennytown,  writing  for  pontoons  to 
come  up,  with  which  they  mean  to  pafs  the  river  near  the  Blue 
Mounts,  or  at  Coryel's  ferry, —  they  believe,  the  latter; — that 
the  two  battalions  of  guards  were  at  Brunfwic,  and  the  Hef- 
lian  grenadiers,  chaffeurs,  and  a  regiment  or  two  of  the  Britiih, 
troops,  are  at  Trenton. 

Captain  Miller  of  colonel  Hand's  regiment  alfo  informs  me, 
that  a  body  of  the  enemy  were  marching  to  Burlington  yefter- 
day  morning.  He  had  been  fent  over  with  a  ftrong  fronting  < 
party,  and,  at  day-break,  fell  in  with  their  advanced  guards  ' 
contorting  of  about  four  hundred  HefTian  troops,  who  fired  upon 
him  before  they  were  dilcovered,  but  without  any  loL,  and  ob- 
liged him  to  retreat  with  his  party  and  to  take  boat.  The 
number  of  the  whole  he  could  not  afcertain  :  but  it  appeared 
to  be  confiderable.  Captain  Miller''*  account  is  partly  con- 
firmed by  commodore  Seymour,  who  reports  that  four  or  five 
hundred  of  the  enemy  had  entered  the  town.  Upon  the  whole, 
there  can  be  no  doubt  but  that  Philadelphia  is  their  object,  and 
that  they  will  pafs  the  Delaware  as  foon  as  poflible.  Happy 
mould  I  be  if  I  could  fee  the  means  of  preventing  them  :  at 
prefent,  I  confefs,  1  do  not.  All  military  writers  agree  that 
it  is  a  work  of  great  difficulty,  nay,  impracticable,  where  there 
is  any  extent  of  coalt  to  guard.  This  is  the  cafe  with  us  5  anti 
we  have  to  do  it  with  a  force,  fmall  and  inconfiderabk,  and 
much  inferior  to  that  of  the  enemy.  Perhaps  Congrefs  have 

fome 


*8o  GENERAL  WASHINGTON'S 

fome  hope  and  profpecl:  of  reinforcements  :  I  have  no  intelli- 
gence of  the  fort,  and  wiih  to  be  informed  on  the  fubje6l.  Our 
little  handful  is  daily  decreailng  by  licknefs  and  other  caufes  : 
and,  without  aid,  without  coniiderable  fuccours  and  exertions 
on  the  part  of  the  people,  what  can  we  reafonably  look  for 
or  expect,  but  an  event  that  will  be  feverely  felt  by  the  com- 
mon canie,  and  that  will  wound  the  heart  of  every  virtuous 
American, — the  lofs  of  Philadelphia  ?  The  fubjecl  is  difa- 
greeable  ,  but  yet  it  is  true.  I  leave  it,  withing  that  our  fitu- 
aiion  may  become  fuch  as  to  do  away  the  appreheniions  which 
at  this  time  ieeni  to  fill  the  minds  of  too  many,  and  with  too 
b  juftice. 

liy  a  letter  from  general  Heath,  dated  at  Peekikill,  the  eighth, 
I  am  adviied  that  lieutenant-colonel  Vofe  was  then  there  with 
Greaton's,  Bond's,  and  Porter's  regiments,  amounting  in  the 
whole  to  between  five  and  fix  hundred  men,  who  were  coining 
this  way.  He  adds  that  generals  Gates  and  Arnold  would  be 
at  Goihen  that  night,  with  Stark's,  Poor's,  and  Read's  regi- 
ments j  but  for  what  purpofe,  he  does  not  mention. 

The  inclofed  extracl  of  a  letter  which  I  received  lail  night 
contains  intelligence  of  an  agreeable  nature,  I  wi(h  to  hear 
its  confirmation  by  the  arrrival  of  the  feveral  prizes  :  that  with 
clothing  and  arms  will  be  an  invaluable  acquifition. 

I  {hail  be  glad  to  be  adviied  of  the  mode  I  am  to  obferve  in 
paying  the  officers  ;  whether  they  are  to  be  allowed  to  draw  the 
pay  lately  eltablimed,  and  from  what  time,  or  how  long  they 
are  to  be  paid  under  the  old  eftablilhment.  A  pay-roll  which 
was  prefented  yefterday,  being  made  up  for  the  new,  has  given 
rife  to  theie  propofitions.  Upon  my  objecting  to  it,  I  was  told 
that  Congrefs  or  the  board  of  war  had  eitabiimed  the  prece- 
dent, by  paying  the  fixth  regiment  of  Virginia  troops  command- 
ed by  colonel  Buckner,  agreeable  to  the  latter,  as  they  came 
through  Philadelphia. 

1  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c.  G.  W. 


SIR,  Head-quarters,  Trenton  Vails,  Dec.   13,   1776. 

THE  apparent  defigns  of  the  enemy  being  to  avoid  this 
ferry,  and  land  their  troops  above  and  below  us,  have  induced 
me  to  remove  from  this  place  the  greater  part  of  the  troops, 
sr.d  throw  them  into  a  different  difpofition  on  the  river,  where- 
by I  hope  not  only  to  be  more  able  to  impede  their  paffage, 
but  alfo  to  avoid  the  danger  of  being  inclofed  iu  this  angle  of 

the 


OFFICIAL    LETTERS.  281 

-the  river.  And  notwithftanding  the  extended  appearances  of 
the  enemy  on  the  other  fide,  made,  at  leaft  in  part,  to  divert 
our  attention  from  any  particular  point  as  well  as  to  harrafs  us 
by  fatigue,  I  cannot  divefi  myfelf  of  the  opinion  that  their 
principal  delign  is  to  ford  the  river  fomewhere  above  Trenton j 
to  which  defigrL-I  have  had  particular  refpecl:  in  the  new  ar- 
rangement, wherein  I  am  fo  far  happy  as  to  have  the  concur- 
rence of  the  general  officers  at  this  place. 

Four  brigades  of  the  array,  under  generals  lord  Sterling, 
Mercer,  Stephen  and  De  Fermoy,  extend  from  Vardley's  up 
to  CoryeFs  ferry,  polled  in  fuch  a  manner  as  to  guard  every 
fufpicious  part  of  the  river,  and  to  afford  afliftance  to  each  o- 
ther  in  cafe  of  attack.  General  Ewing,  with  the  flying  camp  o£ 
Pennfylvania  and  a  few  Jerfey  troops  under  general  Dickinfon, 
are  polled  from  Yardley's  ferry  down  to  the  ferry  oppoiite 
Bordentown.  Colonel  Cadwalladar,  with  the  Pennfylvania 
malitia,  occupies  the  ground  above  and  below  the  mouth  o£ 
Nemarniny  river  as  far  down  as  Dunk's  ferry,  at  which  place 
colonel  Nixon  if  polled  with  the  third  battalion  of  {Pennfyfoa- 
nia\.  A  proper  quantity  of  artillery  is  appointed  to  each  bri- 
gade j  and  I  have  ordered  fmall  redoubts  to  be  thrown  up  oppo- 
iite every  place  where  there  is  a  poflioility  of  fording. — I  iliail 
remove  further  up  the  river  to  be  near  the  main  body  of  my 
fmall  army,  with  which  every  pbffible  oppofition  (hall  be  given 
to  any  further  approach  of  the  enemy  towards  Philadelphia. 

As  general  Armftrong  has  a  good  deal  of  influence  in  -this 
ftate,  and  our  prefent  force  is  fmall  and  inconfiderable,  I  think 
he  cannot  be  better  employed  than  to  repair  to  the  counties 
where  his  intereft  lies,  tu  animate  the  people,  promote  the  re- 
cruiting fervice,  and  encourage  the  militia  to  come  in.  He  will 
alfo  be  able  to  form  a  proper  judgment  of  the  places  fuit- 
able,  for  magazines  of  provifion  to  be  collected.  I  have  requefl- 
ed  him  to  wait  upon  Congrefs  on  this  fubje^l  ,  and  if  general 
Smallwood  mould  go  to  Maryland  on  the  fame  bufmefs,  I  think 
it  will  have  a  happy  efFecl  :  he  is  popular  and  of  great  influence 
and,  I  am  perfuaded,  would  contribute  greatly  to  that  flate's 
iurnuhing  her  quota  of  men  in  a  little  time.  He  is  now  in  Phi- 
ladelphia. 

1  have  the  honor  to  be,  &.c,  G.  W. 


N  n 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON'* 

SIR,  Head-quarters  at  Keitfrs,  Dec.  15,   1776, 

ABOUT  one  o'clock  to-day  1  received  a  letter  from 
general  Sullivan,  a  copy  of  which  you  have  inclofed.  I  will 
not  comment  on  the  melancholy  intelligence  which  it  contains, 
only  adding  that  I  fincerely  regret  general  Lee's  unhappy  fate, 
and  feel  much  for  the  lofs  of  my  country  in  his  captivity. 

In  refpecl  to  the  enemy,  they  have  been  indutirious  in  their 
attempts  to  procure  boats  and  fmall  craft :  but  as  yet  their  ef- 
forts have  not  fucceeded.  From  the  lateft  adviles  that  I  have 
of  their1  movements  by  fome  prifoners  and  others,  they  appeal- 
to  be  leaving  Trenton,  and  to  be  filing  off  towards  Princeton 
and  Allentown.  What  their  defigns  are,  whether  they  mean 
to  retreat,  or  only  a  feint,  cannot  be  determined.  I  have  par- 
ties out  to  watch  their  motions,  and  to  form  if  poffible,  an  ac- 
curate opinion  of  their  plans. 

Our  force,  fince  my  laft,  has  received  no  augmentation, — of 
courfe,  by  ficknefs  and  other  caufes,  has  diminished  :  but  I  am 
advifed  by  a  letter  from  the  council  of  fafety,  which  jurt  came 
to  hand,  that  colonels  Burd  and  GUbrcath  are  marching  with 
their  battalions  of  malitia,  and  alfo  that  feme  fmall  parties  are 
affembling  in  Cumberland  county.  *  *  * 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c.  G.  W. 


.Sis.,  Head-quarters  at  Keith's,  Dec.  16,  1776, 

IN  a  late  letter  which  I  had  the  honor  of  addreffing  you,  I 
took  the  liberty  to  recommend  that  more  battalions  (hould  be 
railed  for  the  new  army  than  what  had  been  voted.  Having 
fully  confidered  the  matter,  I  am  more  and  more  convinced  not 
only  of  the  propriety  but  of  the  neceflity  of  the  meafure.  That 
the  enemy  will  leave  nothing  uneflfayed  in  the  courfe  of  the 
next  campaign  to  reduce  thefe  ftates  to  the  rule  of  the  molt 
'  *  *,  mull  be  obvious  to  every  one  j  and  that  the  militia  i« 
not  to  be  depended  on,  or  aid  expefted  from  them  but  in  cafes 
of  the  moit  preiiing  emergency,  is  not  to  be  doubted.  The  Hril 
of  thefe  proportions  is  unqueftionable,  and  fatal  experibnce  has 
given  her  fan6lion  to  the  truth  of  the  latter  :  indeed  their  le- 
thargy of  late,  and  backwardn-efs  to  turn  out  at  this  alarming 
crifis,  feem  to  juilify  an  apprehension  that  nothing  can  bring 
them  from  their  homes.  For  want  of  their  afliftance,  a  large 
part  of  Jerfey  has  been  expofed  to  ravage  and  to  plunder  ;  nor  do 
I  know  that  Penfylvania  would  (hare  a  better  fate,  could  general 

Howe 


OFFICIAL    LETTERS.  2% 

Howe  effeft  a  paffage  acrofs  the  Delaware  with  a  refpe&able 
force.  Thcfe  confederations  have  induced  ine  to  wifti  that  no 
reliance,  except  fuch  as  may  arife  from  neceflity,  ihould  ever 
be  had  in  them  again;  and  to  make  farther  mention  to  Con- 
grefs  of  the  expediency  of  increaiing  their  army. — I  trull  the 
Eieafures  will  meet  the  earlieil  attention. 

Had  I  'leifure  and  were  it  neceffary,  I  could  fay  much  upon 
this  head  :  but,  as  I  have  not,  and  the  matter  is  well  uuderftood 
I  will  not  add  much.  By  augmenting  the  number  of  your  battali- 
ons, you  will  augment  your  force  :  the  officers  of  each  will 
liave  their  intereft  and  influence  j  and,  upon  the  whole,  their 
numbers  will  be  much  greater,  though  they  fhould  riot  be  com- 
plete. Added  to  this,  from  the  prefent  confufed  (bite  of  Jer~ 
fey,  and  the  improper  appointment  of  officers  in  many  inftan- 
ces,  I  have  little  or  no  expectation  that  me  will  be  able  to  raife 
all  the  troops  exacted  front  her,  though  I  think  it  might  be 
done,  were  fukable  fpirited  gentlemen  commiflioned,  who  would 
exert  themfelves,  and  encourage  the  people,  many  of  whom  (for 
a  failure  in  this  inftance,  and  who  are  well  difpofed)  are  mak- 
ing their  fubmiflions. — In  a  woid,  the  next  will  be  a  trying 
campaign  :  and  as  all  that  is  dear  and  valuable  may  depend  up- 
on the  iiTue  of  it,  I  would  advife  that  nothing  ihould  be  omit- 
ted, that  fhall  feem  neceffary  to  our  fuccefs.  Let  us  have  a  re- 
ipe&able  army,  and  fuch  as  will  be  competent  to  every  exigency. 

I  will  alfo  add  that  the  critical  fituation  of  our  affairs,  and 
the  diffolution  of  our  prefent  force  (now  at  hand),  require  that 
every  nerve  and  exertion  be  employed  for  recruiting  the  new 
battalions.  One  part  of  general  Howe's  movements  at  this 
t'lme,  I  believe,  is  with  a  delign  to  diftracl:  us  and  prevent  this 
bufmefs.  If  the  inclemency  of  the  weather  ihould  force  him 
into  winter  quarters,  he  will  not  remain  there  longer  than  ne  . 
ceffity  (hall  oblige  him :  he  will  commence  his  operations  in  a. 
rhort  fpace  of  time  :  and  in  that  time  our  levies  mud  be  made 
up,  to  oppofe  him,  or  I  fear  the  moft  melancholy  of  all  events 
muft  take  place. 

The  inclofed  extraft  of  a  letter  from  the  commiffary-general 
will  Ihew  his  demands  for  money,  and  his  plans  for  procuring 
falted  provifions  and  a  quantity  of  flour  from  the  fouthward. 
The  whole  is  lubmitted  to  the  comlderation  of  Congrcfs  :  and 
I  wifli  the  refalt  of  their  opinion  to  be  tranfmitted  him,  with 
luch  fupplies  of  money  as  may  be  neceffary  for  himfelf  and  the 
departments  he  mentions. 

The  clothing  of  the  troops  is  a  matter  of  infinite  importance 
and,  if  it  could  be  ;  accomplifhed,  would  have  a  happy  effect. 

Their 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON'S 

Their  diit.reiics  are  extremely  great,  many  of  them  being  en- 
tirely naked,  and  moft  fo  thinly  clad  as  to  be  unfit  for  fervice. 
1  rauft  entreat  Congrefs  to  write  to  the  agents  and  contractors 
upon  this  luhjecl,  that  every  poffible  fupply  may  be  procured 
and  forwarded  with  the  utraoft  expedition.  I  cannot  attend  to 
the  bufniefs  myfelf,  having  more  than  I  can  poflibly  do  beiides. 
I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c.  '  G.  W. 


SIR,  Camp,  above  Trenton  Faf/r,  Dec.    20,    1776. 

I  HAVE  waited  with  much  impatience  to  know  the  de- 
terminations of  Congrefs  on  the  propofiticns  made  fome  time 
in  Odlober  lafi  for  augmenting  our  corps  of  artillery  and  eftab- 
liming  a  corps  of  engineers.  The  time  is  come  when  the  firil 
cannot  be  delayed  without  the  greV.eit  injury  to  the  fafety  of 
thefe  ftates  j  and  therefoie,  under  the  resolution  of  Congieis 
bearing  date  the  twelfth  infiaat,  at  the  repeated  iniiances  of  colo- 
nel Knox,  and  by  the  prefiiag  advice  of  all  the  general  officers 
row  here,  I  have  ventured  to  order  three  battalions  of  artillery 
to  be  immediately  recruited.  Thefe  are  two  lels  than  colonel 
Knox  recommends,  as  you  will  fee  by  his  plan  inclofcd  :  but 
then  this  fche.nie  comprehends  all  the  United  States,  whereas 
forae  of  the  Hates  have  corps  already  eftablifhed,  and  thefe  three 
battalions  are  indilpenfably  neceiTary  for  the  operations  in  this 
•rukfter,  including  the  northem  department. 

The  pay  of  our  artilleries  bearing  no  proportion  with  thatin 
the  Engliih  or  Fiench  fervice, — the  murmuring  and  diilatisfac- 
tion  thereby  occauoned,  and  the  abiolute  impofliDJlity  (as  I  am 
told)  of  getting  them  upon  the  old  terms, — and  the  unaVoid; 
uecefiity  of  obtaining  them  at  all  events, — have  induced  me 
Calfo  by  advice1)  to  promife  officers  and  men  that  their  pay 
fhould  be  augmented  twenty-five  per  cent,  or 'that  their  engage- 
ments mould  become  null  and  void.  This  may  appear  to  Con- 
grefs premature  and  unwarrantable.  But,  fir,  if  they  view  our 
frtuation  in  the  light  it  Ttrikes  their  officers,  they  will  be  con- 
vinced of  the  utility  of  the  meafure,  and  that  the  execution 
could  not  be  delayed  till  after  their  meeting  at  Baltimore.  In 
ihort,  the  pitfent  exigency  of  our  affairs  will  not  admit  of  de- 
lay either  in  council  or  the  field  :  for  well  convinced  I  am,  that 
if  the  enemy  go  into  quarters  at  all,  it  will  be  for  a  ihort  feafon. 
But  I  rather  think  the  defign  of  general  Howe  is  to  polTtis  him- 
feif  of  Philadelphia  this  winter  if  porTible  j  and  in  truth  I  do 
not  fee  what  is  to  prevent  hirn;  as  ten  days  more  will  put  an  end 

to 


OFFICIAL     LETTERS.  285 

to  the  exiftertce  of  our  army.  That  one  great  point  is  to  keep 
us  as  much  harrafied  as  poffible,  with  a  view  to  injure  the  re- 
cruiting fervice  and  hinder  a  colle6Hon  of  ftores  and  other  ne- 
ceffaries  for  the  next  campaign,  1  am  as  clear  in,  as  I  am  of  my 
exiftence.  If  therefore, — [when~\  we  have  to  provide  this 
ihort  interval,  and  make  thefe  great  and  ardent  preparations,-— 
every  matter  that  in  its  nature  is  felf-evident  is  to  be  referred 
to  Congrefs  at  the  diftance  of  a  hundred  and  thirty  or  forty: 
miles,  fo  much  time  muft  neceffarily  elapfe,  as  to  defeat  the  end 
in  view. 

It  may  be  faid  that  this  is  an  application  for  powers  that  ar$ 
too  dangerous  to  be  entrufted.  I  can  only  add  that  defperate 
difeafes  require  defperate  remedies  j  and  with  truth  declare 
that  I  have  no  luft  after  power,  but  wifh  with  as  much  fervency 
as  any  man  upon  this  wide-extended  continent,  for  an  opportu- 
nity of  turning  the  fword  into  a  plough-mare.  But  my  feelings, 
as  an  officer  and  a  man,  have  been  fuch  as  to  force  me  to  fay 
that  no  perfon  ever  had  a  greater  choice  of  difficulties  to  con- 
tend with  than  I  have. — It  is  needlefs  to  add  that  ihort  enlifU 
ments,  and  a  miftaken  dependence  upon  militia,  have  been  the 
origin  of  all  our  misfortunes  and  the  great  accumulation  of  our 
debt. 

-  We  find,  fir,  that  the  enemy  are  daily  gathering  ftrength 
from  the  difaffected.  This  ilrength,  like,  a  fnow-ball,  by  rol- 
ling, will  increafe,  unlefs  feme  means  can  be  deviled  to  check 
effectually  the  progrels  of  the  enemy's  arms.  Militia  may  pof- 
fibly  do  it  for  a  little  while  :  but  in  a  little  while  alfo',  the  miii- 
tia  of  thofe  Hates  which  have  been  frequently  called  upon  will 
no,t  turn  out  at  all  j  or,  if  they  do,  it  will  be  with  fo  much  re- 
luctance awd  lloth,  as  to  amount  to  the  fame  thing : — inftance, 
New-Jerfey! — witneis,  Pcnnfylvania  ! — Could  any  thing  but  the 
river  Delaware  have  faved  Philadelphia  ? — Can  any  thing  (the 
exigency  of  the  cafe  indeed  may  juftify  it)  be  more  deftruftive 
to  the  recruiting  fervice,  than  giving  ten  dollars  bounty  for 
fix  weeks'  fervice  of  the  militia,  who  come  in,  you  cannot  tell 
how, — go,  you  cannot  tell  when, — and  act,  you  cannot  tell 
where — confume  your  provifions,  exhaufl  your  ftores,  and^  leave 
you  at  laft  at  a  critical  moment  ? 

Thefe,  fir,  are  the  men  I  am  to  depend  upon,  ten  days  hence  ; 
this  is  the  bafis  on  which  your  cauie  will  and  muft  forever  de- 
pend, till  you  get  a  large  {landing  army  fufficient  of  itfelf  to  op- 
pofe  the  enemy.  I  therefore  beg  leave  to  give  it  as  my  hum- 
ble opinion,  that  eighty-eight  battalions  are  by  no  means  equal 
U>  the  oppofition  you  can  make,  and  that  a  moment's  time  is  not 

to 


286  GENERAL  WASHINGTON'S 

to  be  loft  in  raifing  a  greater  number, — not  lefs,  in  my  opinion 
and  the  opinion  of  my  officers,  than  a  hundred  and  ten.  It  may 
be  urged  that  it  will  be  found  difficult  enough  to  complete  the 
firft  number.  This  may  be  true,  and  yet  the  officers  of  a  hun- 
dred and  ten  battalions  will  recruit  a  great  many  more  men, 
than  thofe  of  eighty-eight.  In  my  judgment  this  is  not  a  time 
to  ftand  upon  expenfe  :  our  funds  are  the  only  object  of  conil- 
tleration.  The  flate  of  New-York  have  added  one  battalion  (I 
Trim  they  had  made  it  two)  to  their  quota. — If  any  good  offi- 
cers offer  to  raife  men  upon  continental  pay  and  eftablimment 
rn  this  quarter,  I  mall  encourage  them  to  do  fo,  and  regiment 
them  when  they  have  done  it.  If  Congrefs  difapprove  of  this 
proceeding,  they  will  pleafe  to  fignify  it,  as  I  mean  it  for  the 
b-ft. 

It  may  be  thought  that  I  am  going  a  good  deal  out  of  the 
line  of  my  duty,  to  adopt  thefe  meafares,  or  to  advife  thus  free- 
ly. A  character  to  lofe,-— -an  eftate  to  forfeit, — the  ineftimable 
bkrflings  of  liberty  at  flake, — and  a  life  devoted, — mud  be  my 
excufe. 

I  have  heard  nothing  of  the  light-hoife  from  Virginia,  nor 
the  regiment  from  the  Eailern-Shore.  I  wifh  to  know  what 
troops  are  to  act  in  the  different  departments,  and  to  have  thofe 
from  the  fouthward  (defigned  for  this  place)  ordered  on  as  faft 
as  they  mall  be  raifed.  The  route  fhould  be  pointed  out  by 
which  they  are  to  march  ;  aflluant-commiffaries  and  quarter- 
mailers  upon  the  communication,  to  iupply  their  wants  :  the 
rlrfl  or  fecond  officer  of  each  battalion  to  forward  them, 
and  the  other  to  come  on,  receive  and  form  them  at  their  place 
of  defti nation.  Unlefs  this  is  immediately  fet  about,  the  cam- 
paign, if  it  mould  be  clofed,  will  be  opened  in  the  fpring  before 
we  have  any  men  in  the  field. 

Every  exertion  fliould  be  ufed  to  procure  tents  :  a  clothier- 
general  fhould  be  appointed  without  lofs  of  time,  forfupplying 
the  army  with  every  article  in  that  way  : — he  fltould  be  a  man 
of  buiinefs  and  abilities.  A  commifiary  of  prifoners  muft  be 
appointed  to  attend  the  army: — for  want  of  an  officer  of  this 
kind,  the  exchange  of  prifoners  has  been  conducted  in  a  mame- 
ful  and  injurious  manner.  We  have  had  them  from  all  quarters 
pulhed  into  our  camps  at  the  mofl  critical  junctures,  and  with- 
out the  lead  previous  notice.  We  have  had  them  travelling 
through  the  different  itates  in  all  directions  by  certificates  from 
committees,  without  any  kind  of  controul  j  and  have  had  inftan- 
ces  of  fomc  going  into  the  enemy's  camp  without  my  privity  or 
knowledge,  after  palling  in  the  manner  before  mentioned.— 

There 


OFFICIAL    LETTERS.  287 

There  may  be  other  officers  neceffary  which  I  do  not  recoiled 
at  this  time,  and  which,  when  thought  of,  muft  be  provided  : 
for  this,  fir,  you  may  rely  en,  that  the  commanding  officer,  un- 
der the  prefent  eftablifhment,  is  obliged  to  attend  to  the  buii- 
nefs  of  fo  many  different  departments,  as  to  render  it  impoflible 
toAconducl:,that  of  his  own  with  the  attention  neceffary  j-^-than 
which,  nothing  can  be  more  injurious. 

In  a  former  letter,  I  intimated  my  opinion  >of  the  neceflity  of 
having  a  brigadier  for  eveiy  three  regiments,  and  a  major-gene- 
ral to  every  three  brigades,  at  moft.  I  think  no  time  is  to  be 
loll  in  making  the  appointments,  that  the  arrangements  may  be 
confequent.  This  will  not  aid  the  recruiting  fervice,  but 
will  be  the  readiest  means  of  forming  and  difciplining  the  arm^ 
afterwards,  which,  in  the  (hort  time  we  have  to  do  it,  is  of  a- 
mazing  confequence.  I  have  labored,  ever  iince  I  have  been  in 
the  fervice,  to  difcourage  all  kinds  of  local  attachments  and  dif- 
tinc~licns  of  country,  denominating  the  whole  by  the  greater 
name  of  *  American  ;'  but  I  found  it  impoflible  to  overcome 
prejudices;  and,  under  the  new  eftabliihment,  I  conceive  it  belt 
to  ftir  up  an  emulation  ;  in  order  to  do  which,  would  it  not  be 
better  for  each  ftate  to  furnifh  (though  not  to  appoint)  their 
awn  brigadiers  ?•»— This,  if  known  to  be  part  of  the  eftabliih- 
ment, might  prevent  a  good  deal  of  contention  and  jealoufy  ;  and 
would,  I  believe,  be  the  means  of  promotions  going  forward 
with  more  fatisfa&ion,  and  quiet  the  higher  officers.  - 

Whilft  I  am  fpeaking  of  promotions*,  I  cannot  help  giving  it 
as  my  opinion,  that,  if  Congrefs  think  proper  to  confirm  what  I 
have  done  with  refpecl:  to  the  corps  of  artillery,  colonel  Knox 
(at  prefent  at  the  head  of  that  department,  but  who,  without 
promotion,  will  refign)  ought  to  be  appointed  to  the  command 
of  it,  with  the  rank  and  pay  of  brigadier.  I  have  alfo  to  men- 
tion, that,  for  want  of  lome  eftablifhment  in  the  department  of 
engineers  agreeable  to  the  plan  laid  before  Congrefs  in  October 
laft,  colonel  Putnam,  who  wras  at  the  head  of  it,  has  quitted, 
and  taken  a  regiment  in  the  ftate  of  Maffachufetts.  I  know  of 
no  other  man  tolerable  well  qualified  for  the  conducing  of  that 
bufinefs.  None  of  the  French  gentlemen  whom  I  have  feen 
with  appointments  in  that  way  appear  to  me  to  know  any  thing 
of  the  matter.  rl  here  is  one  in  Philadelphia,  who  I  am  told, 
is  clever  :  but  him  I  have  never  feen. 

I  muft  alfo  once  more  beg  leave  to  mention  to  Congrefs  the 
expediency  of  letting  promotions  be  in  a  regimental  line.  The 
want  of  this  has  already  driven  fome  of  the  belt  officers  that 
were  in  your  army,  out  of  the  fervice.  From  repeated  -artel 


288  GENERAL  WASHINGTON^- 

ft  lift  enquiry  I  am  convinced  you  can  ado'pt  no  mode  of  pro- 
motion that  will  be  better  received,  or  that  will  give  more  gene- 
~ral  fatisfaclion.  I  wifh  therefore  to  have  it  announced. 

The  calling  of  cannon  is  a  matter  that  ought  not  to  be  one 
moment  delayed  :  and  therefore  I  (hall  fend  colonel  Kno^  to 
put  this  in  a  trainj  as  alfo  to  have  travelling  carriages  and 
ihot  provided, — elaboratories  to  be  eftabliftied,  one  in  Hart- 
ford, and  another  in  York.  Magazines  of  provisions  iliould  al- 
fo be  laid  in.  Thefe  I  fhall  fix  with  the  commilTary.  As  our 
great  lofs  laft  year  proceeded  from  a  want  of  teams,  I  fhall  di- 
rect the  quarter-mafter-general  to  furnifli  a  certain  number  to 
each  regiment  to  anfvver  the  common  purpofes  thereof,  that  the 
army  may  be  enabled  to  remove  from  place  to  place  different- 
ly from  what  we  have  done,  or  could  do,  this  campaign.  Am- 
munition carts,  and  proper  carts  tor  intrenching  tools,  fhould  al- 
fo be  provided,  and  I  ihall  direct  about  them  accordingly.  A- 
bdve  all,  a  ftore  of  fmall  arms  iliould  be  provided,  or  men  will 
be  of  little  ufe.  '1  he  confumption  and  wafte  of  thefe,  this  year, 
has  been  great; — militia,  flying-camp  men,  &c.  coming  in 
\vithout,  were  obliged  to  be  furniflied,  or  become  ufekfs.  Ma- 
ny of  thefe  threw  their  arms  away  :  fome  loft  them,  whilft  o- 
thers  deferted,  and  took  "them  away.  In  a  word,  although  I 
ufed  every  precaution  to  preferve  the m,  the  lofs  has  been  great  j 
and  this  will  forever  be  the  cafe  in  fuch  a  mixed  and  irregular 
army  as  ours  has  been. 

If  no  part  of  the  troops  already  embaiked  at  New- York  has 
appeared  in  Virginia,  their  deftination  doubtlefs  mufl  be  to  fome 
other  quarter  j  and  that  ftate  muft,  I  iliould  think  be  freed  from 
any  invalion,  if  general  Howe  can  be  effectually  oppofed  in  this. 
I  therefore  inclofe  a  memorandum  given  me  by  brigadier  Ste- 
phen of  Virginia,  which  Congrefs  will  pleafe  to  adopt  in  the 
whole, — in  part, — or  reject, — as  may  be  confident  with  their 
plans  and  intelligence. 

The  dirifion  of  the  army,  late  under  the  command  of  general 
Lee,  now  general  Sullivan,  is  juft  upon  the  point  of  joining  usJ 
A  ftrange  kind  of  fatality  has  attended  it.  They  had  orders? 
on  the  feventeenth  of  November  to  join,  now  more  than  a] 
month.  General  Gates,  with  four  eaftern  regiments,  is  alfoj 
near  at  hand  :  three  others  from  thofe  itates  were  coming  on, 
by  his  order,  by  the  way  of  Peekfkill,  and  had  joined  general! 
Heath  whom  1  had  ordered  on  with  Parfon's  brigade,  to  join* 
me,  leaving  Clinton's  brigade  and  fome  militia  (that  were  at - 
l'Y>rts  Ivlongomery  and  Conflitution)  to  guard  thofe  important 
paffes  of  the  Highlands,  Eut  the  convention  of  the  (late  of 

Jt  O  ,,  T 

New-  i 


OFFICIAL     LETTERS.  289 

New-York  feeming  to  be  much  alarmed  at  Heath's  coming  a- 
way, — a  fleet  appearing  off  New- London, — and  fome  part  of 
the  enemy's  troops  retiring  towards  Brunfwic, — induced  me  to 
countermand  the  order  for  the  march  of  Parfons's  brigade,  and 
to  direct  the  three  regiments  from  Tyconderoga  to  halt  at 
Morriitown  in  Jerfey  (where  I  underftaud  about  eight  hundred 
tailitia  had  collected),  in  order  to  infpirit  the  inhabitants,  and, 
as  far  as  po&ble,  cover  that  part  of  the  country.  I  mall  fend 
general  Maxwell  this  day  to  take  the  command  of  them,  and, 
if  to  be  done,  to  harrafs  <md  annoy  the  enemy  in  their  quarters, 
and  cat  off  their  convoys. 

The  care  and  vigilance,  which  were  ufed  in  fecuring  the 
boats  on  this  river,  have  hitherto  baffled  every  attempt  of  the 
enemy  to  crofs  :  but,  from  concurring  reports  and  appearances, 
they  are  waiting  for  ice  to  afford  them  a  paffage. 

Since  writing  the  foregoing,  I  have  received  a  letter  from 
governor  Cooke  of  Rhode-Iflarid,  of  which  the  inclofed  is  a 
copy.  Previous  to  this,  and  immediately  upon  the  firft  intelli- 
gence obtained  of  a  fleet's  going  through  the  Sound,  I  dif- 
patched  orders  to  generals  Spencer  and  Arnold  to  proceed 
without  the  leaft  delay  to  the  eastward.  The  firft.  I  prefume, 
is  gone  :  the  latter,  not  getting  m'y  letter  till  he  came  to  a  place 
called  Eafton,  was,  by  advice  of  general  Gaffes,  who  alfo  met 
my  letter  at  the  fame  place,  induced, to  come  on  hither  before 
he  proceeded  to  the  eaftward. — Mod  of  our  brigadiers  are  laid 
up  :  not  one  has  come  on  with  the  divifion  under  general  Sul- 
livan, but  they  are  left  iick  at  different  places  'on  the  road. 

By  accounts  from  the  eaftward,  a  large  body  of  men  had  af- 
fembled  in  Rhode-lfland,  from  the  itates  of  iYlaffachufetts  an-d 
Connecticut.  I  prefume  (but  I  have  no  advice  of  it)  that  the 
militia  ordered  from  the  firftj  to  reridezvdus  at  Danbury  (fix 
thoufand  in  number)  under  the  command  of  major-general 
Lincoln,  for  fupplying  the  place  of  the  difbanded  mtn  of  that 
ftate  in  the  continental  army,  will  now  be  ordeied  to  Rhodc- 
liland. 

In  fpeaking  of  general  Lincoln,  I  mould  not  do  him  juflice, 
were  I  not  to  add  that  he  is  a  gentleman  well  worthy  of  notice 
in  the  military  line.  He  commanded  the  militia  from  MaiTa- 
chufetts  lad  dimmer,  or  fall  rather,  and  much  to  my  fatisfac- 
tion, — having  proved  himfclf  on  all  occaiions  an  aiiive,  fpirit- 
ed,  fenfible  man.  I  do  not  know  whether  it  is  his  wiih  to  re- 
main in  the  military  line,  or  whether,  if  he  (hould,  any  thing 
tinder  the  rank  he  now  holds  in  the  itate  he  comes*  from  would 
fatisfy  hira.  How  far  an  ap.poiritrncnt  of  this  kind  miglit  offend 

O  o  the 


290  GENERAL  WASHINGTON^* 

•the  continental  brigadiers,  I  cannot  undertake  to  fay  ; — manr 
there  are,  over  whom  he  ought  not  to  be  placed  >  but  I  know 
of  no  way  to  difcriminate. — Brigadier  Reed  of  New-Hampfhire 
does  not,  I  prefurne,  mean  to  continue  in  fervice  :  he  ought 
not, — as  I  am  told,  by  the  feverity  of  the  fmall-pox,  he  is  be- 
come both  blind  and  deaf. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,    &c.  G.  W. 

P.  S.  Generals  Gates  and  Sullivan  have  this  inftant  come 
in.  By  them  I  learn  that  few  or  no  men  are  recruited  out 
of  the  regiments  coming  on  with  them,  and  that  there  is  very 
little  reafon  to  expe£t  that  thefe  regiments  will  be  prevailed 
tipon  to  continue  after  their  term  of  fervice  expires.  If  mili- 
tia then  do  not  come  in,  the  confequtnces  are  but  too  evident. 


SIR,  Camp  above  Trenton  Falls,  December  24,  1776.. 

THAT  I  {hould  dwell  upon  the  fubjed  of  our  diftrerTes^ 
cannot  be  more  difagreeable  to  Congrefs  than  it  is  painful  to 
myfelf.  The  alarming  fituation  to  which  our  affairs  are  reduc- 
ed, impels  me  to  the  meafure.  Inquiry  and  invefligation,- — 
which  in  mofl  cafes  ferve  to  develope  and  point  out  a  remedy, 
— in  ours,  prefent  more  and  greater  difficulties.  Till  of  late 
I  was  led  to  hope  from  report  that  no  inconfiderable  part  of 
the  troops;  compoflng  the  regiments  that  were  with  general 
Lee,  and  thofe  from  Tyconderoga  under  general  Gates,  had 
enUfted  again.  This  intelligence,  I  confefs,  gave  me  reafon  to 
expect  that  I  {hould  have,  at  the  expiration  of  the  prefent 
year,  a  force  fomewhat  more  refpeclable  than  what  I  find  will 
be  the  cafe. 

Having  examined  into  the  ftate  of  thofe  regiments,  I  am  au^ 
thorifed  to  fay,  from  the  information  of  their  officers,  that  but 
very  few  of  the  men  have  enliited.  Thofe  who  have,  are  of 
the  troops  from  Tyconderoga,  a-nd  were  permitted  to  vifit  their 
friends  and  homes,  as  part  of  the  terms  on  which  they  would 
re-engage.  In  refpecl  to  thofe  who  marched  with  general  Lee, 
I  cannot  learn  that  any  have.  Their  refufal,  I  am  told,  hai» 
not  proceeded  more  from  an  averfion  to  the  fervice,  or  any 
fixed  determination  not  to  engage  again,  than  from  their  wimes 
to  return  home, — the  non-appointment  of  officers  in  fome  in-. 
Itances, — the  turning  out  of  good,  and  appointing  of  bad, — ia 
others,  and  the  incomplete  or  rather  no  arrangement  of  them, 
— a  work  unhappily  committted  to  the  management  of  theii 
slates  :  nor  haye  I  the  moil  diitant  prpfpect  of  retaining  them- 

a  mo- 


O-FFrCl  A  L    L  ETTER  S. 

&  moment  longer  than  the  lafl  of  this  inftant,  notwhhftariding 
the  moft  preffing  felicitations  and  the  obvious  neceflity  for  it. 

By  the  departure  of  thefe  regiments  I  (hall  be  left  with  five 
frorp  Virginia,  Smallwood's  from  Maryland,  a  fmall  part  of 
Rawlin's,  Hand's  from  Pennfylvania,  a  part  of  Ward's  from 
Conne6licut,  and  the  German  battalion,  amounting  in  the 
whole  at -this  time  from  fourteen  to  fiftteen  hundred  eiFc&ive 
men..  This  handful,  and  fuch  militia  as  may  chufe  to  join  me'^ 
will  then  compofe  our  army, 

When  1  reflect  upon  thefe  things  they  fill  me  with  much 
-concern,  knowing  that  general  Howe  has  a  nunaber  of  troops 
cantoned  in  the  towns  bordering  on  and  near  the  Delaware, — 
his  intentions  to  pafs,  as  foon  as  the  ice  is  fufficiently  formed, 
to  invade  Pennfylvania  and  to  poSfcfs  himfelf  of  Philadelphia,  if 
poffible.  To  guard  againft  his  defigns  and  the  execution  of 
-them,  ihall  employ  my  every  exertion  :  but  how  is  this  to  be 
<done  ?  As  yet  but  few  militia  have  gone  to  Philadelphia,  and 
they  are  to  be  our  fup'port  at  this  alarming  crifis.  Had  I  en- 
tertained a  doubt  of  general  Howe's  intentions  to  pafs  the  De- 
laware on  the  diifolution  of  our  army,  and  as  foon  as  the  ice  is? 
made,  it  would  now  be  done  away.  An  intercepted  letter  from 
a  gentleman  of  Philadelphia  (who  has  joined  the  enemy),  to 
his  friend  and  partner  in  the  city,  declares  that  to  be  their  de- 
jGgn, — -that  the  army  would  be  there  in  ten  or  twenty  day* 
from  the  iixteenth  inftant,  the  time  of  his  writing,  if  the  ice- 
fnould  be  matte  ; — advifes  him  by  no  means  to  remove  their 
iiores, — -that  they  would  be  fafe. 

The  o-bftacles  which  have  arifen  to  the  raifmg  of  the  new 
army,  from  the  mode  of  appointing  the  officers,  induce  me  to 
hope,  if  Congrefs  refolve  on  an  additional  number  of  battalions 
to  thofe  already  voted,  that  they  will  devife  fome  other  rule 
by  which  the  officers,  efpecially  the  field-officers,  (hould  be  ap- 
pointed. In  cafe  an  augmentation  mould  be  made  to  the  eail- 
erri  regiments,  a  deviation  from  the  former  mode  will  operate 
more  llrongly  as  to  them  than  to  other  battalions,  b-scaufe 
there  have  been  many  more  officers  in  fervice  from  thofe  ftates, 
than  the  regiments  voted  to  be  raifed  would  admit  of  5  by  which 
means  fereral  deferving  men  could  not  have  been  provided 
for,  had  the  utmoft  paias  been  ufed  for  the  purpofe  }  and  many 
others  of  merit  have  been  negle&ed  in  the  late  appointments, 
and  thofe  of  little  worth  and  lefs  experience  put  in  their  places 
or  promoted  over  their  heads.  This  has  been  the  cafe  with 
many  of  the  beft  officers. 

The  inclofed  letter  from   the  paymafter- general  will  (hew 

the 


292  GENERAL  WASHINGTON'S    ' 

the'ftate  of  the  military  cntft,  and  the  neceflity  of  a  large  anil 
immediate  fupply  of  cafh.  'The  advances  to  the  officers,  for 
bounty  and  the  recruiting  fervice,  aie  great  :  beiides,  the  regi- 
ments, at  the  expiration  of  this  month,  will  require  pay  of  their 
claims.  *  *  '* 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c.  G.   W. 

P.  S.  If  the  public  papers  have  been  removed  fr«m  Phila- 
delphia, I  hope  thofe  which  1  fcnt  by  lieutenant-colonel  Reed 
before  we  left  New-York,  have  not  been  forgot.  If  they  have 
not,  I  beg  the  favor  of  you  to  break  open  the  chert,  ar.d  fend 
me  the  feveral  letter-books,  fealed  up,  having  frequent  ccca- 
iion  to  refer  to  them. 


To   ROBERT  MORRIS,  efcuire. 

DEAR  SIR,  Head-quarters^  December  25,   1776. 

I  HAVE  your  obliging  favors  of  the  twenty-firft  and 
twenty-third.  The  blankets  are  come  to  hand  j  but  I  would 
not  have  any  of  the  other  goods  fent  on  till  you  hear  again 
from  me. 

I  agree  with  you  that  it  is  vain  to  ruminate  upon,  or  even 
reflect  upon  the  authors  or  caufes  cf,  our  prefent  misfortunes  : 
we  mould  rather  exert  ourfelves,  and  look  forward  with  hopes 
that  fome  lucky  chance  may^yet  turn  up  in  our  favor.  Bad  as 
our  profpedls  are,  I  fhould  not  have  the  lean1  doubt  of  fucceis 
ifi  the  end,  did  not  the  late  treachery  and  defection  of  thcfe, 
who  flood  foremoft  in  the  oppoiition  while  fortune  Irniled  upon 
us,  make  me  fearfal  that  many  more  will  follow  their  example, 
who,  by  uiing  their  influence  with  fome  and  working  upon  the 
fears  of  others,  may  extend  the  circle  fo  as  to  take  in  whole 
towns,  counties,  nay,  provinces.  Of  this  xve  have  a  recent  in- 
itance  in  |erfey;,and  I  wilh  many  parts  in  Pennfylvania  may 
not  be  ready  to  receive  the  yoke. 

1  he  fecurity  of  the  continental  mips  of  war  in  Delaware  is 
certainly  a  capital  object  j  and  yet  to  draught  the  many  hands, 
neceilary  to  fit  them  out,  for  the  militia,  might  be  dangerous 
juft  now  :  perhaps  in  a  little  time  hence  their  places  may  be 
fupplied  with  country  militia  ;  and  then,  if  the  exigency  of  af- 
fairs requires  it,  they  certainly  ought  to  be  fpared. — 1  will  juit 
hint  to  you  a  proportion  that  was  made,  or  rather  talked  of,  a 
few  days  ago  by  the  officers  of  two  New-England  regiments 
v/hofe  time  t:f  fervice  will  expire  en  the  firft  of  January.  They 

are 


O  F  F  I  C  I  A  L   L  £  T  T  E  R  &  293 

'.kre  mo  ft  of  them  water- men  :  and  they  faid  their  men  would 
willingly  go  on  board  the  frigates,  and  navigate  them  round  to 
any  of  the  ports  in  New-England,  if  it  was  thought  they  would 
be  fafer  there  than  in  Delaware.  You  may  think  of  this,  and 
let  me  hear  from,  you  on  the  fubjecl:,  if  the  propofition  pleafes 
you 

Lieutenant  Roger  of  the  navy  is  already  gone  in,  and  I  have 
made  a  demand  of  lieutenant  Jofiah  in  exchange;  but  I  have 
not  heard  whether  lord  Howe  accedes  to  it.  I  will  procure  the 
releafe  of  doctor  Hodge  as  foon  as  it  can  be  done  without  injur- 
ing others  by  giving  him  the  preference,  as  I  have  always  made 
it  a  rule  to  demand  thofe  fiift  who  have  been  longp.ft  in  capti- 
vity. I  will  take  the  fame  fleps  in  regard  to  Mr.  Jones,  com- 
mander of  the  (loop  taken  by  the  Andrew^  Doria. 

I  (hall  take  the  earlieft  opportunity  of  fending  in  your  letter 
to  general  Lee,  with  the  bill  drawn  upon  major  Small. 

From  an  intercepted  letter  from  a  perfon  in  the  fecrets  of  the 
enemy,  T  find  their  intentions  are  to  crofs  Delaware  as  foon  asj 
the  ice  is  fufficiently  ftrong.  I  mention  this,  that  you  may- 
take  the  neceffary  fteps  for  the  fecurity  of  fuch  public  and  pri- 
vate property  as  ought  not  to  fall  into  their  hands,  mould  they 
make  themielves  mailers  of  Philadelphia,  of  which  they  do  not 
&em  to  entertain  the  lead  doubt. 

I  hope  the  next  chriilmas  will  prove  happier  than  tte.pre- 
to  you,  and  to,  dear  fir,,  your  iincere  friend  and  humble 
fervant,  G.  W. 

P.  S.  I  would  juft  afk  whether  you  think  Chriftia.na  a  fafe 
place  for  our  ftoies.  Do  not  you  think  they  would  be  fafer  at 
Lancafter,  or  fomewhere  more  inland  ? 


SIR,  Head-quarters ,  Morriftown,  Dec.  27,    1776,, 

I  HAVE-  the  pleafure  of  congratulating  you  upon  th,e  (uc- 
cefs  of  an  enterprife  which  I  had  formed  againft  a  detachment 
of  the  enemy  lying  in  Trenton,  and  which  was  executed  yefter- 
day  morning. 

The  evening  of  the  twenty-fifth  I  ordered  the  troops  intend- 
ed for  this  purpofe  to  parade  ba*ck  of  M'Konkey's  ferry,  -  that 
they  might  be^in  to  pals  as  foon  as  it-grew  dark,  irnaginiug  rftii't 
we  fiiould  be  abk  to  throw  them  all  over,  with  the  neceilary 
anilkry,.  by  -twelve  o'clock,  and  that  we  might  eafily  arrive  at 
Ttrnton  by  five  in  the  morning,  the.  diftance  being  about  nine 
miles.  .  .BiU-.tk^  quantity  of  ice,  m^ade  that.night,  impeded  the 

paffage 


;.94  GENERAL  WASHINGTON5* 

paiTage  of  tKe  boats  fo  much,  that  it  was  three  o'clock  before 
the  artillery  could  all  be  got  over;  and  near  four,  before  the 
troops  took  up  their  line  of  march. 

This  made  me  defpair  of  furprifing  the  town,  as  I  well  knew 
we  could  not  reach  it  before  the  day  was  fairly  broke.  But  as 
I  was  certain  there  was  no  making  a  retreat  without  being  dif- 
covered,  and  harraffed  on  repaffing  the  river,  I  deterrgined  to 
pufh  on  at  all  events.  I  formed  my  detachment  in  two  divifi- 
ons,  one  to  march  by  the  lower  or  river  road,  the  other  by  the 
upper  or  Pennington  road.  As  the  divifions  had  nearly  the 
fame  diitance  to  march,  I  ordered  each  of  them,  immediately 
upon  forcing  the  out  guards,  to  puih  dire&ly  into  the  town, 
that  they  might  charge  the  enemy  before  they  had  time  to 
form. 

The  upper  dlviiion  arived  at  the  enemy's  advanced  poft  ex- 
a£lly  at  eight  o'clock  ;  and  in  three  minutes  after,  I  found, 
from  the  fire  on  the  lower  road,  that  that  divilion  had  alfo  got 
up.  The  out  guards  made  but  fmall  oppofition,  though,  for 
their  numbers,  they  behaved  very  well,  keeping  up  a  conftant 
retreating  fire  from  behind  houfes.  We  prefently  faw  their 
main  body  formed  ;  but,  from  their  motions,  they  feemed  unde- 
termined how  to  act. 

Being  hard  preffed   by  our  troops  who  had  already  got  pof- 
feflion  of  their  artillery,  they  attempted  to  file  oif  by  a  road  on 
their  right,  leading  to  Princeton.     But,  perceiving  their  inten- 
tion, I  threw  a  body  of  troops  in  their  way  •,  which  immediate- 
ly checked  them.     Finding  from  our  difpoiition,  that  they  were 
furrouaded,  and  that  they  muft   inevitably  be  cut  to  pieces  if 
they  made  any  farther  refiftance,  they  agreed  to  lay  down  their 
arms.     The  number  that  fubmitted  in  this  manner  was  twenty- 
three  officers  and  eight  hundred  and  eighty-fix  men.      Colonel 
Rahl  the   commanding  officer,   and  feven  others,  were   found 
wounded  in  the  town.      I  do   not  exactly  know  how  many  they 
had  killed  ;  but   I   fancy,    not  above  twenty  or  thirty,  as  they 
never  made  any  regular  Hand.     Our  lois  is  very  trilling  indeed, 
— only  two  officers  and  one  or  two  privates  wounded. 

I  find  that  the  detachment  of  the.  enemy  confifted  of  the  three 
Heffian  regiments  of  Lanfpach,  Kniphaufen,  and  Rhal,  amount- 
ing to  about  fifteen  hundred  men,  and  a  troop  ef  Britifh  light- 
Itorfe :  but,  immediately  upon  the  beginning  of  the  attack,  all 
thofe  who  were  not  killed  or  taken,  pulhed  dire&ly  down  the 
road  towards  Bordentown.  Thefe  would  like  wife  have  fallen 
iato  our  hands,  could  my  plan  have  been  completely  carried  in- 
to execution.  General  Ewing  was  to  have  crolTed  before  day 

at 


OFFICIAL     LETTERS.  2$$ 

at  Trenton  ferry,  and  taken  poffeflion  of  the  bridge  leading  out 
of  town  :  but  the  quantity  of  ice  was  fo  great,  that,  though  he 
did  every  thing  in  his  power  to  efFecl:  it,  he  co-uld  not  get  over. 
This  difficulty  alfo  hindered  general  Cadwallader  from  crowing- 
with  the  Pennfylvania  militia  from  Briftol.  He  got  part  of  his 
foot  over  :  but  finding  it  impoflible  to  embark  his  artillery,  he 
fTas  obliged  to  defift. 

I  am  iully  confident,  that,  could  the  troops  under  generals 
Ewing  and  Cadwallader  have  palled  the  riyer,  I  ihould  have 
been  able  with  their  ailiftance  to  have  driven  the  enemy  from 
all  their  polls  below  Trenton.  .But  the  numbers  I  had  with 
me  being  inferior  to  theirs  below  me,  and  a  ftrong  battalion  of 
light  infantry  being  at  Princeton  above  me,  I  thought  it  molt 
prudent  to  return  the  fame  evening  with  the  prifoners  and  the 
artillery  we  had  taken.  We  found  no  ftores  of  any  confequence 
in  the  town. 

In  juftice  to  the  officers  and  men,  I  muft  add  that  their  be- 
havior upon  this  occalion,  reflects  the  higheft  honor  upon  them. 
The  difficulty  in  pafling  the   river  in  a  very  fevere  night,  and 
their  march  through  a  violent  ftorm  of  fnow  and  hail,  did  not 
iri  the  leail  abate  their  ardor  :  but  when  they  came  to  the  charge, 
each  feemed  to   vie   with   the   other  in  pr effing  forward  :  and 
^were  I  to  give  a  preference  to  any  particular  corps,  I  mould  do 
j^great  injuftice  to  the  others. 

Colonel  Baylor,  my  firil  aid- de-camp,  will  have  the  honor  of 

.delivering  this   to-  you  j    and  from  him  you  may  be  made  ac^ 

quainted  with  many  other  particulars.     His  fpirited  behavior 

£  upon  every  occafion  requites  me  to  recommend  him  to  your  parr 

iticular  notice. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &,c.  C.  W. 

Inclofed  you  have  a  particular  lift  of  the  prifoners,  artillery 
and  other  ftores. 


SIR,  Newtown,  December  29,  1776. 

I  AM  juft  fetting  out  to  attempt  a  fecond  paffage  over 
the  Delaware  with  the  troops  that  were  with  me  on  the  morn- 
ing of  the  twenty-fixth.  I  am  determined  to  effe£  it  if  pofilble  •, 
but  know  that  it  will  be  attended  with  much  fatigue  and  diffi- 
culty on  account  of  the  ic*r,  which  will  neither  allow  us  to 
crols  on  foot,  nor  give  us  an  eafy  paffage  with  boats.  General 
Cadwallader  crofled  from  Briftol  on  the  twenty-feventh,  and, 
by  las  letter  of  yeiterday,,  was  at  Bordento\vn  with,  about  .eigh- 
teen 


276  GENERAL  WASHINGTON'S 

teen  hundred  men.     In   addition   to  tlicfe,  general  Mifil' 
over  five  hundred  from  Philadelphia  on  friday,  three   hu 
yeftr.rday  evening  from  Burlington,   and  will  follow  to-day  with 
feven  or  eight  hundred  more.      I    have   taken  every  precaution 
in  my  power  for  fubiifting  the  troops,  and  lhall,   without  lofs  of 
time,   and  as  foon  as  circumitances  will  admit  of  it,  purfue  thgj 
enemy  in  their  retreat, — try  to  beat  up  more  of  their  quarters, 
and,  in  a  word,  in  every  inftance,  adopt  fuch   meafures   as  the 
exigency  of  our  affairs  requires,  and  our  fituation  will  jurtify. 

Had  it  not  been  for  the  unhappy  failure  of  generals  Ewing 
and  Cadwallader  in  their  attempts  to  pafs  on  the  night  of  the 
twenty-fifth, — and  if  the  feveral  concerted  attacks  could  have 
been  made, — I  have  no  doubt  but  that  our  views  would  have 
iucceeded  to  our  warmeft  expectations.  What  was  done  «>ccafi- 
ont-d  the  enemy  to  leave  their  feveral  polls  on  the  Delaware 
with  ineat  precipitation.  The  peculiar  diilreifes  to  which  the 
troops  who  were  with  me  were  leduced  by  the  Severities  of  cold,; 
rain,  fnow,  and  ftorm, — the  charge  of  the  prifoners  they  had 
taken,— -and  another  reafon  that  might  be  mentioned, — and  the 
little  profpecl  of  receiving  fuccours  on  account  of  the  feafoi 
r;nd  fituation  of  the  river, — would  not  authorise  a  further  pur- 
fuit  at  that  time. 

Since  transmitting  the  lift  of  prifoners,  a  few  more  have  bee:: 
difcovered  and  taken  in  Trenton, — among  them  a  lieutenant- 
colonel,  and  a  deputy-adjutant-general, — the  whole  amounting 
to  about  a  thoufand. 

t  have  been  honored  with  your  letter  of  the  twenty-third  ar 
its  feveral  inclohires,  to  which  I  (hall  pay  due  attention. — 
flag  goes  in  this  morning  with  a  letter  to  general  Howe,  an.j 
another  to  general  Lee.  For  the  latter,  Robert  Morris,  er- 
q  ui  re,  has  transmitted  a  bill  of  exchange,  drawn  by  two  Britiih. 
officers,  for  a  hundred  and  iixteen  pounds,  niae  millings,  and' 
three  pence,  on  major  Small,  for  money  furnimed  them  in 
South-Carolina,  which  I  trait  will  be  paid.  This  fupply  is  ex- 
clufive  of  the  furh  you  have  refolved  to  be  fent  him,  and  which 
"Mr.  Morris  will  procure  in  time. 

1  have  the  honor  to  be,   &.c.  G.  W. 

P.   S.     I  am  under  great  apprehenfions  about  obtaining  pro- 
per Supplies  of  proviilon  for   our   troops:    I  fear  it  will  !. 
tremely  difficult,  if  not  impracticable,  as  the  enemy,  fro,; 
ry  account,  have  taken  and  collected  every  thing  they  couil 


END  OF  THE  F1R.ST  VOLUME, 


